Wales player tweets joy over father-in-law
WELSH rugby international Matthew Morgan has issued a heartfelt message thanking NHS staff after his father-in-law became the first with coronavirus to leave intensive care at the Prince Charles Hospital.
Jeff Cope, 60, was put on a ventilator after being admitted to the Merthyr Tydfil hospital on April 3.
But, after receiving treatment for almost a fortnight, Mr Cope was released from the intensive care unit.
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board released footage of Mr Cope via its Twitter feed.
The clip shows several members of hospital staff clapping as Mr Cope is wheeled out of intensive care.
They wrote: “Our first Covid patient out of ITU at Prince Charles Hospital today. Our multidisciplinary team at PCH are clapping their first patient out of ITU and returning to the ward. Great team work! Well done all!”
And Cardiff Blues star Morgan has delivered his own message of thanks to staff who have treated his father-in-law.
Writing on his official Twitter account, Morgan said: “Amazing news today, the father-in-law coming out of intensive care recovering from this horrible disease!
“Keep the faith – can’t thank the @NHSuk staff at Prince Charles Hospital enough.”
THE Principality Stadium is a familiar sight for Wales and Lions star Jamie Roberts.
But when he stood pitchside 10 days ago, he was looking at the stadium as he had never seen it before.
On April 6, Roberts – who currently plays for Cape Town-based team Stormers – wasn’t there as a player, he was there as a qualified doctor working for the NHS.
It was the first day of his new temporary job as “Doc Roberts”.
The following two weeks were an emotional rollercoaster for the rugby international and he has chronicled his experiences in his new blog, Doc Roberts’ Blog.
Roberts has been playing a key part in the communications department for the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
He said: “The news focuses on case numbers, deaths, government decisions – all of which tighten the grip of fear within the population. How about we concentrate on educating the public about what is actually happening at all levels whilst we fight this virus?”
■ The first day back
“From the off, I admit I never appreciated the manpower that constitutes operations behind the scenes within the health service,” Roberts writes on day one.
“Currently, the open office spaces at Woodland House HQ feel somewhat eerie. There is an expanse of empty desks, as many staff are working from home or have deployed elsewhere. Only essential staff are working on site, but even still, the energy and work ethic is palpable from the minute you step through the door. My first encounter was with Tina in the HR department to complete all the necessary paperwork.”
From collecting his new security pass, to visiting the procurement team and on to meeting ambulance crews, his first day back on the job sounds like a frantic one. Roberts leaves no stone unturned as he takes the time to chat to everyone on the frontline.
“My conversation with a paramedic centred around those patients outside of the Covid-19 crisis,” he continued. “It’s easy to forget that the healthcare world continues to treat patients with other conditions. Babies are still being born, patients are still suffering from other conditions and paramedics are still rushing through now deserted cities to get sick patients to hospital.”
And although there was a moment of reflection as he stood inside the Principality Stadium without the 74,500 screaming fans he is used to, Roberts is still a proud man as he watches the Dragon’s Heart field hospital being built firsthand.
“It’s hard to put into words the energy, enthusiasm and relentless work ethic that was prevalent in those temporary ‘war rooms,’” he says. “People from all parts of the work sector: engineers, builders, electricians, communications staff. The list goes on. All pulling together for a common cause in a time of crisis.”
■ A glimpse of life on the frontline Writing honestly and frankly, we are given an insight into how things have been fast tracked in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Things like how the paediatric A&E department at Cardiff’s Heath Hospital had all been shifted up to the children’s hospital to ease the burden at the emergency unit. This had been planned for five years but coronavirus dictated the move be made in just two weeks.
Or how students like Katie, in her final year of nursing, had stepped up to the frontline just weeks after finishing her dissertation.
Roberts chatted to her and said: “I asked her whether it was exciting, daunting, or both? Her reply: ‘It’s both I guess, but this is what I’ve trained to do.’
“They’re ready to step up and play their part in extremely challenging times,” he adds. “How brilliant.”
■ Food donations
We are given a glimpse into just where all those food donations are going and how much of a difference it is making.