The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Lewis, 4, shares joy about grandad
Youngster makes welcome home video as relative battles back to beat Covid-19
A four-year-old boy has thanked the NHS Tayside workers who helped his 70-year-old grandad recover from coronavirus.
Lewis Meach recorded a video for social media to welcome home Invergowrie man Ken Clark, who spent 11 days in Ninewells fighting the virus.
He was discharged at the weekend and said he was “overwhelmed” by the dedication of the hospital staff.
Mr Clark spent time in the high dependency unit and intensive care as he battled the disease.
His daughter Laura Meach, a radiographer at Ninewells, said: “We cannot thank all the staff enough for what they have done for my dad.
“When he made it home we announced it with a ‘breaking news’ video featuring my four-year-old son Lewis.
“Thank you team Ninewells. Keep going, you’re doing an amazing job.”
In the 13-second video Lewis urged people on lockdown to stay at home and stay safe.
Mr Clark was still too ill to speak of his ordeal but posed with NHS Tayside staff as he left the hospital building.
Ashley Gunn, staff nurse in Ward 3, said: “Ken said he was overwhelmed by the dedication of the staff and asked us to take a photo with him to highlight his positive outcome.”
Meanwhile, it was revealed a new Covid-19 staff testing hub in NHS Tayside is proving a success, with around 70% of people tested able to return to work following a negative result.
NHS Tayside began staff testing around two weeks ago, initially frontline staff unable to work as they, or a member of their household, had symptoms and required to self-isolate for up to 14 days.
Around 150 people a day can be tested and the criteria has been expanded from acute frontline workers to GPS, those working in health and social care partnerships, community and hospital pharmacists and other hospital workers.
NHS Tayside medical director Professor Peter Stonebridge said: “If staff testing had not been established, the self-isolation rules would have had a much bigger impact on our workforce.
“It’s been a brilliant effort by everyone to get this up and running.
“I’d also like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who is staying at home. Please keep doing exactly what you’re doing: Stay home. Protect the NHS. Save lives.”