The Association of Breast Surgery is compiling a number of resources to support its members during the COVID-19 pandemic. This page will be updated as more information becomes available
COVID-19 resources
On this page you will find a number of resources to support ABS members during the COVID-19 pandemic
On the 16th December 2021 a message was circulated to ABS members from Chris Holcombe, the ABS President. Click here to view the statement.
On the 29th September 2021 the ABS circulated a statement to its members in relation to the ongoing pandemic. To view the message please click here.
On the 10th June the ABS President, Chris Holcombe, and Hassan Malik, the BASO ~ ACS President, issued the following information for their members regarding JCVI advice in relation to the second Covid vaccination doses for vulnerable cancer patients. Read the information here
On the 23rd February 2021 the ABS circulated information to its members in order to help deliver breast referral pathways. This was in response to the Urgent Cancer Diagnostic Service during Covid 19 document from NHS England.
To view the information please click here
On the 19th January 2021 a letter was circulated by the ABS to its members in relation to the NHS BSP. The letter can be downloaded here
On the 5th January 2021 the ABS released a further statement in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic. To download the statement please click here
The ABS has released a further statement, Running a breast service with ongoing Covid-19 restrictions: Recommendations from the Association of Breast Surgery, in relation to the delivery of breast cancer services during the Covid-19 pandemic. To download the statement please click here.
The ABS has issued a further statement on breast services during the Covid-19 pandemic, Moving Forward - Recommendations from the Association of Breast Surgery on delivery of breast services during the Covid-19 pandemic. Please download the statement here (25th May 2020)
The ABS issued an updated statement in relation to the delivery of breast services during the COVID 19 pandemic on the 27th April 2020
The ABS issued a statement for its members in relation to COVID-19 on the 15th March 2020. This statement has subsequently received the approval of the UKBCG.
The UKBCG and ABS have released a joint statement on neoadjuvant chemotherapy during the Covid-19 pandemic. You can view the statement here (15th May 2020)
The ABS has issued advice for patients during the COVID19 outbreak. This can be used or modified by your own Trust on their intranet or patient group websites to allay patient anxiety.
(30th March 2020)
The ABS has produced guidance for its members on PPE. Download it here (30th March 2020)
The Federation of Surgical Specialty Associations issues a Clinical Guide to Surgical Prioritisation During the Coronavirus Pandemic on a monthly basis. The guides can be downloaded from their website
PHE issued PPE guidance on the 17th April 2020. Download it here
Royal College of Surgeons statement issued by Neil Mortenson on the 18th Apri 2020. Download it here
The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, PHE and NHS England have released the following guidance on PPE (Uploaded 30th March 2020)
Guidance has been produced in relation to radiation therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic
To view the guidance please click here
(26th March 2020)
Guidance has been released in relation to Breast Pathology Services. Please click here to view it
(Uploaded 26th March 2020)
The UKBCG produced guidance for prioritisation of systemic anticancer treatment during the pandemic. To view the guidance please click here
The updated Intercollegiate General Surgery Guidance on COVID-19 is available here (27th March 2020)
The Royal College of Anaesthetists, Association of Anaesthetists, Intensive Care Society and Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine have produced a strategy document, Restarting planned surgery in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic
(11th May 2020)
The Royal College of Surgeons now has an Information Hub in relation to COVID-19. To view the resources see their website
Guidance for infection prevention and control in healthcare settings bas been issued jointly by the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC), Public Health Wales (PHW), Public Health Agency (PHA) Northern Ireland, Health Protection Scotland (HPS) and Public Health England (PHE). Other guidance is also available from PHE.
(Uploaded 8th April 2020)
They have also issued a summary of recommended PPE for healthcare workers by secondary care inpatient clinical setting, NHS and independent sector. It can be downloaded here (Uploaded 14th April 2020)
NHS England has put together a number of resources for healthcare professionals during the COVID 19 pandemic. This includes a confidential staff support line operated by the Samaritans. For further details see the website or to access the support line ring 0300 131 7000.
The site also includes information on how to access free wellbeing apps
The ABS has a member support service and realises at a time like this members may appreciate support. Due to volume of work and sickness some of the mentors may not be available to contact directly. During this period we would ask that anyone needing support contacts Lucy Davies (lucydavies@absgbi.org.uk) with a contact phone number so that an available mentor can get in touch with you.
The Mental Health Foundation has a number of resources available for support during this period:
Looking after your mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak
A European consortium (EUBreast - led by Thorsten Kuehn and Philip Poortmans) have drafted some European guidelines in relation to recommendations for triage, prioritization and treatment of breast cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. They can be viewed here
We have all been massively affected by the COVID pandemic either personally or professionally. No matter what our job or social circumstance, this virus has been a worldwide leveller.
This project was started by Mr Ash Subramanian (a fellow consultant breast cancer surgeon and ABS member) and the idea was simply to spread positivity and love to all in these difficult times. Sadly his own mother died on 15th January as a victim of COVID-19 and hence it is a very personal project.
The sole purpose is to capture the views of as many voices as possible of those who have been affected by COVID-19, thereby, providing an opportunity for people’s feelings to be heard. As a proud member of the ABS, Ash would be very grateful for any submissions from our members, their families or their patients. This could be thoughts, feelings, poetry or art.
COVID Reflections aims to spread a sense of community and positivity through the shared experience of life in a pandemic, whilst raising funds for a selection of charities and organisations.
Please share your Covid stories/ photos/ art work/ poems via our website below. All submissions will either be published in a book or online platform.
You can access the Covid Reflections website here