Table 3.

Timeline of escalation and de-escalation steps taken

Timeline of escalation and de-escalation steps taken
Dates	Steps
17 November 2019	First case Hubei Province China
29 January 2020	First case in the United Kingdom (York)
End of February	First COVID-19 diagnosis at Kings College Hospital
11 March	WHO categorise the infection as a pandemic. Trust initiates major incident framework. Command structure operational to manage response to COVID.
12 March	All elective activity paused with the exception of surgery for cancer and other life-threatening conditions. Coronavirus pathways and radiology operational modifications initiated.
17 March	Restricted visiting policy implemented
23 March	Directives received by Medical Director via NHS England and NHS Improvement for 24 h consultant rota. Staff well-being hubs setup within the hospital.
End of March	24 h rota implemented in Radiology. Home reporting stations installed.
2 April	Start of radiology trainee redeployment
3 April	NHS Nightingale opened
9 April	UK peak of COVID-19 deaths
Mid-May	Acute phase of COVID passed. De-escalation initiated. Return to pre-pandemic working patterns.
1 June	Staff working at home start to return to work
19 June	Restart of elective services
End of June	Return of redeployed trainees
1 August	Shielded staff return to work