London's Royal Free Hospital is counting the cost of having to prioritise Covid-19 above almost everything else as they battle to treat the patients left behind. There are growing waiting lists and huge waits for diagnosis and treatment.
It is mid-summer, and the London Free has a target of getting all services back to 90 per cent of their pre-Covid activity and all within strict new infection control guidelines. At Barnet Hospital a clinician tests positive for Covid-19.
The transplant department seizes on a window of opportunity when Covid-19 infection rates are low to perform 3 months worth of transplants in 5 weeks, but then the number of Covid cases begins to increase again.
Autumn, the Emergency Department sees a resurgence of patients after a summer of low attendances. A bed shortage in Barnet hospital highlights the challenge of discharging older patients, and the added complexities of Covid-19 risks.
Coronavirus patients again begin to be transferred to intensive care. This time, the clinicians have more treatments in their arsenal to fight the virus, including experimental drugs and convalescent plasma.
As Covid-19 levels rise again, the Royal Free London prepares to roll out a mass vaccination programme, but it faces a staffing crisis that in turn threatens vital cancer operations.