Dozens of Covid survivors still need hospital’s help to aid recovery
DEDICATED CLINIC SET UP FOR PATIENTS TO OVERCOME LONG-TERM EFFECTS
MORE than 100 Covid-19 survivors still need hospital help to aid their recovery.
The George Eliot Hospital has a dedicated Covid-19 follow-up clinic to help those who suffered from the virus.
It has so far seen 100 patients who spent time in the Intensive Care Unit or on the Eliot’s Respiratory ward on Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP).
They have access to critical care staff and respiratory physicians to help them overcome the long term effects of Covid-19.
The Eliot has, since the start of the pandemic, treated more than 1,000 people for Covid-19.
According to latest data on the Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire dashboard, the hospital currently has 20 beds occupied by Covid-19 patients and one mechanical ventilation bed occupied.
At its peak there were 87 patients being treated on New Year’s Eve 2020.
The ‘Eliot, like hospitals up and down the country, has suffered highs and lows during the pandemic.
On Wednesday, March 11, 2020, the hospital confirmed its first death from Covid-19 and sadly many more have lost their lives since.
The situation in 2020 peaked in June when there was an outbreak of Covid19 within the hospital itself and it led to 34 Covid-19 deaths recorded in June.
As well as helping patients to recover, the hospital is looking at its own recovery programme - though this will be done at a pace that suits tired staff.
Glen Burley, the hospital’s chief executive, acknowledged the sheer and constant pressure the workforce has been put under in the past the 12 months.
As many hospitals across the country look towards restarting services that had to be postponed due to the virus under the Restore, Recover, Reset (RRR) programme, Mr Burley said there will be another ‘R’ added to theirs - ‘Respite.’
“My view is that we should now introduce a new ‘R’ word - Respite,” he told board members during a virtual meeting.
“Our staff have worked incredibly hard in the face of the pandemic for well over a year.
“While NHS staff have always worked hard, in the past we have been able to have periods of rest and respite. Staff have been able to take holidays and switch off during periods of leave.
“But none of this has been possible over the past year and alongside all of the hard work we have also lost colleagues, witnessed harrowing events and in many cases our staff have had to be the ones holding the hands of Covid-19 victims in the absence of loved ones.
“Events like these can cause Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and we should not underestimate the long term impacts on individuals. I am not suggesting that the NHS needs some sort of holiday as it will of course need to remain open 24/7 as it has since 1948.
“But a period where we take stock and consider what our next sets of priorities are would be helpful as opposed to racing headlong into another waiting list reduction programme.”
Events like these can cause Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and we should not underestimate the long term impacts on individuals