We recognise that Covid-19 presents exceptional difficulties and uncertainties for patients and all providers within primary and secondary care are focussed on supporting patients throughout their clinical pathway. We want people to feel safe coming to appointments at hospitals, clinics and at GP surgeries. We appreciate that some people will still be nervous of attending appointments and have committed that in this unprecedented period patients will be kept on the waiting list, if they choose to defer their appointments or procedures. This policy will be reviewed regularly.

To ensure the NHS can continue to deliver the best emergency and planned care across north central London during the winter and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, temporary changes to services for children and young people will commence on 28 September.

At the end of July, NHS England and Improvement signalled that we are moving into Phase 3 of our response to Covid-19. This involves ensuring that we are able to meet the needs of non-Covid patients, with Covid-19 still expected to be in circulation for some time to come. Health and care organisations in NCL are working together to ensure that we are taking appropriate infection prevention and control measures; planning and managing the risk of local outbreaks; and prioritising the health and care needs of all our communities.

Over the past week we have been busy preparing preliminary plans for the next phase of our response to the pandemic, and we have now submitted our high level plans to NHS England for review. Partners representing councils, public health, commissioners and providers are working very closely to deliver integrated support to help care home staff and residents. Our response has included the provision of support at borough and NCL-wide level, and we are in daily contact with care providers to ensure that resources are targeted where there is most need.