NHS workers thanked for ‘phenomenal’ virus efforts
Health Secretary tells them of her gratitude for their bravery
SCOTLAND’S health and care workers have been thanked for their ‘phenomenal’ bravery in the face of Covid-19.
Speaking ahead of the 72nd anniversary of the NHS tomorrow, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has written to staff giving her ‘heartfelt thanks’ for their efforts.
In her letter to NHS and social care workers, she said: ‘In this 72nd year, our NHS Scotland has had to respond in ways it has never had to at any point in its history.
‘Every single member of NHS staff has had to respond very quickly to the demands of a pandemic on a new virus about which we are continually learning. And all at the same time as continuing to deliver essential and urgent healthcare to the people of Scotland.
‘So while the NHS has always had to adapt and respond to the health needs of the people of Scotland, the response in recent times from NHS staff and staff across health and social care, has been phenomenal.’
To recognise the efforts of NHS Scotland in tackling the disease, government buildings will be lit up in blue over the weekend and ministers will take part in the biggest ever ‘clap for carers and key workers’ tomorrow at 5pm.
Miss Freeman added: ‘This has truly been a system-wide effort, spanning health and social care but reaching across our public, independent, third and private sectors.
‘Our colleagues who work in health and social care services across Scotland have demonstrated incredible resilience and capability – by quickly adapting and delivering in the most extraordinary of circumstances – and I am very grateful to each and every one for your tireless work, your compassion and your care.’
Scotland’s NHS locked down in March to make way for a predicted influx of Covid cases and has only recently started to resume the most urgent procedures.
Staff have had to work in full
PPE and faced shortages of masks and aprons, risking their own health in order to treat those who are infected.
Some nurses and doctors have come out of retirement in order to boost staff numbers. Miss Freeman said: ‘You have worked so hard to make sure that our health and care services have coped and continue to manage with the added pressures we face.
‘At different times in the last few months every one of us
‘Be proud of everything’
has felt overwhelmed or unsure or anxious. And that really is OK. It is part of being human.’
She added: ‘Of course, Covid-19 is still with us. We need to remain ready to flex our response and our services to cope should that happen, just at the same time as we are safely and steadily restarting important healthcare that we had to pause in the early stages of the pandemic.
‘We ask a very great deal of you in normal times. In recent months and for the months ahead we will be asking for even more.
‘But in your response – in your professionalism, your dedication and your care you have been exemplary. So take a moment to be proud of everything you have done – as an individual and as a team.
‘The future is always with us. And our future as an NHS is even more firmly grounded in all you have achieved and because of that, no matter how hard it will feel at times or how complex – that future is a bright one.
‘So please accept my heartfelt thanks today – and every day.’