As a Trust, we are currently seeing relatively small numbers of Covid-19 patients, and long may this continue. At the time of writing (Sunday 27 September), we have eight positive patients with us at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, and three at Bassetlaw Hospital – a slight increase over the weekend, but still a very manageable position.
It is clear that the people of Doncaster and Bassetlaw have done a fantastic job in following the relevant guidance throughout the pandemic, and for that I share my thanks and those of Team DBTH.
I do however want to take this opportunity to ask our communities to continue in these efforts when you’re out and about. While infection rates within the community have been low and stable throughout the summer months, we are beginning to see a local rise in Covid-19, often without those affected displaying symptoms, and without continued vigilance this could translate into more people requiring hospital care.
As an organisation, we offer the fullest support to the Government’s advice of hands, face and space. That means regular hand washing, the wearing of an appropriate face covering and maintaining a distance of two metres between yourself and others. While they seem like small things, together they can, and will, make all the difference to infection rates up and down the country.
And it’s also important to note that, as we head into winter, these measures won’t just help to reduce the rates of Covid-19, they will also help stop the spread of viruses like influenza and norovirus – ailments that can create real challenges for the NHS as the weather turns colder.
At our hospitals, we have depended upon your support and pragmatism throughout 2020, and the lower rates of Covid-19 have allowed us to scale up our elective capacity (planned operations, tests and procedures) throughout the summer, addressing the backlog that has been created as a result of recent restrictions. As things currently stand, and with the rates of admission in mind, we are continuing to increase our outpatient and elective capacity, bringing services safely back online and progressing our stabilisation and recovery plans. However, if we are to maintain this elective work we need to keep Covid-19 under control.
If we did start to see more patients, much of our preparatory work is already done. Our sites are organised into specific pathways, our guidance for care and treatment is well established and our PPE supplies are good. The latter was a particular challenge earlier this year, but is now much improved with local supply lines and higher stock levels. We also have the ability, and a track-record, to transform services as necessary, redeploying staff and resources if this is needed.
Additionally, just this week we have also received approval to install a second Vacuum Insulated Evaporator (VIE), something which will substantially increase our piped medical oxygen supplies, improving our capacity, as well as our resilience should we see a significant increase in patients requiring oxygen, high dependency care or intensive care and ventilation.
I was extremely proud of the way our hospitals responded to the first phase of the pandemic and I am confident that, whatever happens with the second-wave of Covid-19, colleagues will respond in the same way, having more experience in dealing with this disease.
You have all done a fantastic job in keeping infection rates low, and we want to keep it that way. It will therefore be absolutely critical that everyone practises meticulous hand hygiene, wears an appropriate face covering and maintains two metres distance whenever possible.
Remember – Hands, face and space.
Thank you for your continuing support and our team will update you once again, same time, same place tomorrow evening.
Richard Parker