Locally we expect Coronavirus to peak during and just after Easter. In order to be ready for this we have had to change the way we work and you may have already heard about some of the more significant measures that we have taken. This includes the introduction of firm visiting restrictions, moving services and wards around to make them more sustainable, and even switching the majority of our urgent outpatient appointments over to telephone consultations.
We have also taken steps to ensure we have in place all of the medical equipment we will need. To give you an example of this, when we began preparations, our hospitals collectively had 28 Intensive care beds – I am proud to share that when additional ventilators and equipment is delivered we will have almost 130.
As a team, every single member of staff has worked with one single purpose in mind, and we move into the relative unknown of the next few weeks knowing that we have prepared as well as we can to ensure that we are in the best shape possible to face the challenges ahead of us.
All of this effort however, will be for nothing unless we receive the support of local people. As has been outlined by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, as well as Her Majesty The Queen, we must have self-discipline and resolve throughout the next few months.
While Coronavirus looms large, in Doncaster, Worksop and Retford we have been relatively fortunate so far but that does not mean that we have been unaffected. To date, we have sadly lost nine people to Coronavirus. These individuals were mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and friends – the loss of each is a tragedy, and we share our deepest sympathies with their families.
Unfortunately we know that during the course of this pandemic we will lose further loved ones, however, it is in our collective power to try to reduce this number – and the way we do this is relatively simple – staying indoors, and only venturing out when it is absolutely necessary.
I know that many of you will have forgone the slightly brighter weekend, opting to instead stay inside and observe the Government’s advice, and for that I want to thank you. As an NHS Trust which uniquely and proudly straddles two counties, we count on the goodwill you endlessly offer to your local hospitals – and we are asking you once again to dig-deep and support us, making those necessary sacrifices which will make a world of difference for our clinicians as they work against Covid-19.
In return, our promise to you is that, individually, as wards and departments and as hospital teams, we will give you our all. Hospital colleagues will work day and night, caring for those that need it most.
So please, stay at home, protect the NHS and help us beat Covid-19. What you do now and the actions you take have the potential to save lives.
Richard Parker OBE
Chief Executive