Once the pandemic started last March there was an immediate effect on the treatment and follow-up care for head and neck patients. For laryngectomees valve services were restricted and for new patients there were delays in assessment and treatment.
This was down to the need to protect patients and staff from the virus and because staff were diverted from their usual roles to support colleagues in ICUs. Also there was some fear amongst patients about picking up Covid whilst in .hospital.
Some evidence is now becoming available about the consequences for head and neck patients. Read about it here