The National Health Service (NHS) response to the COVID-19 pandemic: a colorectal surgeon’s experience in the UK

Abstract

The UK government was arguably slow to take action against the COVID-19 pandemic. However, since switching their policy from "mitigation" to "suppression", swift changes have been implemented to all aspects of life. In this unprecedented crisis healthcare has been on the battlefront across the globe. Every effort has been made in the UK to stop the National Health Service (NHS) from being overwhelmed, leading to the national slogan: "Stay at home. Protect the NHS. Save lives". In this article, a consultant general and colorectal surgeon in Southampton reports on the NHS response to the COVID-19 pandemic.