Intimate look at work being done by Hairmyres medics
Striking images have captured the efforts of brave frontline medical staff battling to keep coronavirus patients alive at Hairmyres Hospital.
Christopher Bobyn’s series of shots documents the efforts of medics in the hospital’s intensive care unit.
And because of the scale of the pandemic, health bosses have doubled the amount of units at Hairmyres, with two specialist COVID wards and two additional ICU areas.
Christopher’s eye-opening images were taken during an overnight 12-hour shift, led by Dr Austin Rattray.
He was joined by a team of 30 nursing staff and clinical support workers who worked alongside three consultants and two junior doctors, many of whom have been drafted in from other departments.
Dressed in extensive personal protective equipment, the brave medical professionals are pictured tending to the most seriously ill patients, many of whom are on ventilators.
Dr Rattray told BBC Scotland’s The Nine show:“it’s been incredibly difficult for families not to be able to be with their loved ones, and for patients not to have the direct support of their families.
“That’s been one of the hardest aspect of this. Normally in the ICU we like our patients sedated but alert, but here the patients need to be in an induced coma.
“It’s about risk management and this is what we need to do to keep him alive tonight. Our understanding of the disease is rapidly progressing.
“There’s been remarkable local, national and international sharing of information which has allowed us to learn rapidly from each other, and prepare for whatever’s next.”
The medical staff were seen examining lung x-rays and monitoring the oxygen levels of some of the patients.
Lynn Plunkett, who is recovering from COVID-19 after spending time in the ICU, told Christopher how she begged hospital staff to keep her alive.
She said:“the doctor asked me if I should be resuscitated if needed. I said you keep me alive no matter what.
“I have my first grandson being born in two weeks and I need to meet him. You keep me alive no matter what.”