Health and social care hailed

Health and social care workers across Lanarkshire have been praised for their “phenomenal team spirit” as they respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Val de Souza, who is the chief officer of South Lanarkshire health and social care partnership ( HSCP), says that teams in healthcare settings and the community have “set about this task with a focus and intensity that would move mountains”.

She highlighted a range of teamworking achievement s accomplished during the coronavirus emergency, including the establishment of two county assessment hubs including one at

Airdrie health centre, and the work of St Andrew’s Hospice in Airdrie and South Lanarkshire neighbour Kilbryde Hospice to help expand acute hospital capacity.

The partnership’s technologyenabled care team has scaled up technology allowing patients across Lanarkshire to have virtual consultations with services including GPs; and work is taking place to support the most vulnerable people, who are “shielding” and minimising all interaction between them and other residents.

Ms de Souza said: “These examples are to name but a few as efforts continue in the engine room of this multi-agency response.

“Ou r s t a f f, partners and communities are working as a single entity to ensure that we are in the best possible position to meet this public health crisis square-on.

“Everything we’re doing throughout the system is underpinned by a single objective – protecting lives and keeping people safe.

“I’m proud and take great heart from these exceptional, tireless efforts that continue.

“And members of the public can be assured we’re with them every step of the way.”