Health care usage during COVID-19 The latest data, analysis and survey findings on the significant impact the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is having on how the public are using health services

There is growing evidence that people are using health services less since the start of the pandemic; we’ve seen big drops in A&E attendances, fewer cancer referrals and an increase in cancellations of planned treatment for people with long term conditions.

This may be down to a number of reasons; including changes in how NHS services are operating, patient behaviour and the prevalence of some conditions.

Over recent weeks we have been sharing the latest data, analysis and survey findings that show how the public are using health services during the pandemic.

Looking at the way people’s use of services have changed can provide a better understanding of what is needed to get services back up and running.

We will update this page as the work continues over the coming weeks and months.

Understanding Society is the UK’s Household Longitudinal study, which the Health Foundation is supporting. Data from the study is being made available publicly on a monthly basis for research about the changing impact of the pandemic on healthcare seeking behaviour, the welfare of individuals, families and communities in the UK.