On the front line and braced for tidal wave

A SCOTS doctor has revealed the struggles being faced by frontline hospital staff expecting a ‘tidal wave’ of coronavirus cases.

The Glasgow Royal Infirmary medic spoke out amid rising numbers of Scots testing positive for Covid-19 and needing hospital care.

There are now 25 patients with Covid19 in Scotland’s intensive care units.

The doctor, who asked not to be named, said: ‘People need to understand how tough this is going to be for healthcare workers as we already struggle to deal with stretched budgets. There’s an apprehension amongst all of us. It feels a lot like we are in the calm before the storm.

‘Everything is fine for now but we know just shortly something is going to kick off. You know in a tsunami where the water goes out and it’s a bit eerie, but you know it is about to hit? That’s where we are at right now.

‘A tidal wave of mess is on the way and that’s the general consensus from junior doctors right up to the top level.’

Scotland’s NHS was formally placed on an emergency footing earlier last week to help it deal with a substantial increase in coronavirus cases and health chiefs have pledged staff will receive adequate personal protection equipment (PPE).

Doctors in Glasgow, however, say they have concerns about what is available to them. The medic said: ‘We have been told by management that we should have enough personal protection equipment and it shouldn’t be a problem. But we are not sure, and many of us believe it is sub-par.’

The doctor added: ‘The biggest thing people can do is handwash and selfisolate. If everyone does that, it stops the spread of the disease.

‘Then that leaves hospital staff, who are one of the few parts of the population who will be out during all this, to get on with our job and be on the front line against it all.’

An NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokesman said: ‘We completely understand this is an anxious time for people working in the NHS and want to reassure our staff that their welfare is paramount as we deal with the Covid19 situation.

‘We follow the national guidance on Covid-19, including the latest guidance issued by Health Protection Scotland in relation to what PPE is necessary for all of our staff. As per guidance, staff receive appropriate PPE for performing their duties.

‘PPE is ordered nationally and distributed regularly and we are liaising closely with NHS National Services Scotland and suppliers to ensure ongoing stock is available across services. Rigorous assessment is undertaken to ensure all stock meets the quality standards required.’