The visits took place in mid-October as part of RRT’s nationwide campaign to recognise and thank emergency and urgent care teams for their service to local communities.
RRT is a volunteer-led charity made up of members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. The group provides practical and emotional support to emergency services, charities, and communities in need – from serving food and drinks during major incidents to helping those affected by natural disasters. Over the past few years, they’ve supported colleagues at DBTH through similar initiatives, offering refreshments and encouragement during particularly busy or challenging periods.
As part of their latest initiative, A&E Appreciation Week, RRT volunteers visited departments to share coffee, cake, and conversation. Over the course of the week, a number of colleagues took a brief moment to meet the volunteers, and take a well-earned break from their busy shifts. The event was warmly received by colleagues across the department, helping to lift spirits and shine a light on the compassion and resilience shown every day by those working in emergency care.
Reflecting on the event, Chris Ditch, Divisional General Manager for Urgent and Emergency Care, said: “We’re so grateful to the Rapid Relief Team for their kindness and generosity towards our colleagues.
“Working in such a fast-paced, high-pressure environment isn’t easy, but our teams always go above and beyond for our patients. Having that effort recognised in this way has been absolutely fantastic and provided a much-needed morale boost.”
Rod Paterson, Local Team Leader for RRT, echoed Chris’s sentiments: “The opportunity to thank the incredible teams in person has been a true honour for our volunteers. The compassion, strength, and professionalism they show every day, often under immense pressure, is nothing short of remarkable.
“A&E Appreciation Week is about showing that their hard work matters – that it’s seen, valued and celebrated. We believe this gratitude should be recognised every year across the country, which is why we’re calling for formal recognition of this week as a permanent fixture in the national calendar.”
It’s been a busy start to the colder months across DBTH, with teams seeing around 36,000 patients between September and early November – around 4% more than the same period last year.
Health professionals at the Trust are asking local communities to use services wisely this winter – only attending the Emergency Department when it’s appropriate to do so. If you’re unsure where to go, NHS 111 is available online and by phone for advice and guidance on the best service for your needs.