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Celebrate our health heroes
Hundreds of our healthcare workers are treating patients hit by COVID- 19 – and we reckon it’s time to say thank you.
As they work gruelling hours, many lack basic protective gear. And they sacrifice time with their own families to look after ours.
The Post is asking you to show our frontline heroes some love by helping us create a living map of gratitude around Ayrshire. By dropping a heart on the map, you’re saying you appreciate the efforts undertaken daily in the NHS.
In the Ayrshire and Arran region an incredible 2,159 families had already added their postcode to show their gratitude on Monday – let’s keep that number soaring.
This week South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth has thown his weight behind our campaign.
Mr Smyth said: “We all owe our fantastic social care and NHS staff a huge debt of gratitude and I want to thank each and every one of them.
“We will all know people who work for NHS Ayrshire & Arran or care providers and we shouldn’t forget that what they are doing is exactly what they do all year round – caring for our loved ones as if they were their own.
“The current crisis has simply shone a light on that care. Let’s help them by listening to their simple message – stay home, stay safe and help keep the pressure off our NHS as best as we can.”
From nurses to resource workers, managers to advisers – here are four more of our NHS heroes fighting coronavirus on the frontlines.
Judith McKee Senior Change Nurse at Crosshouse
“As news started to spread that we were facing unprecedented times, that COVID- 19 was heading into pandemic status, the Haematology/ Oncology Team ( Cancer Services) came together to plan how best to continue to provide Systemic Anti- Cancer Therapies ( SACT) to those who will come to harm by not receiving their treatment.
“We moved our day case area from Ward 3C to the Day Surgery Unit to enable patients to continue to attend in a safer way, as this provided separate direct access, cutting down on the opportunity for exposure to the COVID- 19 virus.
“Measures have been put in place to best protect this vulnerable group of patients and as a team we have promoted self- isolation for the staff that may have experienced symptoms or are in one of the more vulnerable groups, and social distancing, as far as possible within our work environment.
“We would like to take this opportunity to convey our appreciation to all of our colleagues who have helped to implement these changes, adapting to new ways of working in a very short space of time and who are continuing to work on the frontline to deliver our services at this most challenging time.
“Finally, we would like to thank the whole community for their continued support during this challenging time.”
David Black Ayrshire & Arran Learning and Development Manager
“Through the provision of corporate induction training, the learning and development team continue to support the recruitment of new staff, as well as former staff returning as volunteers.
“We ensure they have the essential skills required to maintain the delivery of vital clinical care.
“Delegates attending training this week have fully acknowledged that these are unprecedented times – but they have been highly motivated.
“They are ready to get their sleeves rolled up, and start providing services to support their local communities for the people of Ayrshire and Arran during these challenging times.
“During our training, we recognise the need for social distancing requirements. We need you to do this too.”
Julie Heaney
“During this pandemic I have been ensuring that our front line staff are properly fitted with their tight- fitting disposable respirator masks.
“These are needed for enhanced precautions when carrying out specific clinical procedures. Due to recent change in provision of the model of masks to protect during this pandemic, a huge scale re- fitting programme for staff has been necessary.
“We have a tremendous team who have gone above and beyond to fulfil this. But the size of the programme is beyond our capacity and has required significant support from medical, nursing, procurement, partnership and management colleagues, working in collaboration to co- ordinate this. A large team of volunteer testers are being