Restore C19: Experiences of women not offered immediate breast reconstruction during COVID-19

Introduction: The offer of immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) was temporarily withdrawn for women requiring mastectomy during the COVID-19 pandemic to allow prioritisation emergency care. RESTORE C19 study aimed use qualitative interviews explore experiences these and how support them could be improved. Methods: Qualitative were undertaken with a purposive sample identified as not being offered IBR in B-MaP-C study. Maximum variation sought regarding patient age, decisions subsequent geographical location. Data transcribed full analysed thematically using constant comparison technique grounded theory. (Ethical approval: IRAS 302580, Wales REC 4 21/WA/0347). Results: Work is ongoing but key themes include feelings abandonment lack support; frustration at missing out on range reconstructive options post traumatic symptoms patients their partners. Most understood accepted why extreme measures taken, nonetheless experienced significant fear trauma facing cancer treatment alone, without loved ones, guilt receiving when others missed screening many now face lengthy waiting times access delayed reconstruction. Conclusions: impact having effects are ongoing, especially those still awaiting This work explores detail so that they can better supported provides valuable learning delivery future services.