Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Thieves steal sanitiser gel from hospital
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He said: “Governors are being briefed on what’s going on. “I asked the person coordinating the response if East Kent Hospitals has the supplies it needs and he said the government is making everything available. That’s reassuring.” Statistics obtained by the Gazette also show that the number of nurses at the K&C has fallen by 8% since 2014.
Six years ago, the figure employed by the hospital stood at 626 - but that had dropped to 574 by last December. Meanwhile, the number of nurses at the William Harvey and QEQM has risen by 11% and 4% respectively over the same period.
Mr Lister added: “I think there’s still an element in the general population of not accepting what’s happening.
“I think there are still people out there who are just thinking ‘it won’t happen to me’ or ‘if I believe in Britain I will not get sick’.
“This is going to be a difficult time for people and we have to recognise that there will be challenges – but the pressure on the NHS will be distinctly alleviated if people follow NHS advice. “In particular, this means not blocking up a hospital because you want a test to see if you’ve got coronavirus because it’ll take attention away from people who might need more help. “If everyone washed their hands and didn’t go to pubs and clubs and avoided any unnecessary social contact it would drastically limit the reach of the virus.”
Doctor’s surgeries across the district have also changed how they are operating as a result of Covid-19, with walk-in appointments being called off and patients being checked for symptoms upon arrival. Those visiting Whitstable Medical Practice will have their temperatures taken and asked “screening questions” before entering. Meanwhile, a sign pinned to the door of New Dover Road Surgery in Canterbury states that only patients with appointments will be allowed inside.
It also warns that those with a cough or fever will not be able to enter.
A similar sign has also been stuck on the door of Cossington House Surgery.
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With shops running out of hand gels, a hospital has reported its supplies have been targeted by thieves.
There have been multiple cases of people stealing sanitiser from wards and corridors at Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham.
And a video has emerged online of two handwash stations that had been broken in to. Hospital bosses have taken to Twitter in an attempt to stop people from “putting the most vulnerable at risk”. Medway Maritime Hospital Trust chief executive James Devine said: “We are working incredibly hard to keep our patients and staff safe and we are doing all we can to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
“It is extremely disappointing we are experiencing a number of thefts of hand gel from wards and corridors at the hospital. These actions by a small minority are putting our most vulnerable patients at risk.”
“It is also worth nothing that the most effective way to protect yourself is by washing your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.”