MP thanks ‘exceptional’ NHS
POLITICIAN RECOVERING AT HOME AFTER BEING TESTED FOR CORONAVIRUS AT HOSPITAL
AN Ealing MP has paid tribute to NHS staff for their “exceptional care” after he was admitted to hospital with coronavirus.
Virendra Sharma was taken to Hillingdon Hospital last week after his condition “deteriorated” having originally had difficulty breathing.
The Ealing Southall member of parliament, who has served the constituency since 2007, said he has now been discharged from hospital and continues to recover at home.
In a statement, he said: “At Hillingdon Hospital I tested positive for coronavirus and had some trouble breathing so I was hospitalised for a week.
“My care was exceptional and I want to pay an enormous tribute to all the staff at Hillingdon Hospital and across the NHS, working so hard and doing so much at this time of immense pressure.
“Now I am back home again and selfisolating, and following all the NHS and government advice. I want to urge everyone else to do the same. Stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.
“The amazing men and women of the NHS working in almost impossible situations, with too little kit and too little support, deserve our help.
“I am asking every one of you to do what you can to help them.”
The MP is also backing Ealing Council’s urgent appeal for personal protective equipment (PPE) to help social care staff look after vulnerable and older residents.
On Sunday March 29, council leader Julian Bell said that its social care teams anticipated the need for 100,000 pairs of gloves a week to meet the demand for frontline workers. The civic chief has raised concerns about the deadly virus spreading through care homes if its staff do not get the equipment they need to work safely.
Councillor Bell said: “We are doing everything possible to get this equipment to the front line so we can protect our older and most vulnerable residents, and our care staff, who are doing a tremendous job and on who we rely.
“We received a supply from government on Friday last week. We are also trying to buy further supplies alongside other West London boroughs.”
Some of the items they need include FFP3 fluid resistant face masks, disposable plastic gloves, aprons, eye protection and hand sanitiser.
The face masks may be used by certain work groups such as building construction workers and nail and beauty technicians who could help.
Cllr Bell added: “If you are a business, organisation or individual that has this equipment, I urge you to donate it to help tackle the spread of this virus. So far, our community has pulled together in an amazing way and I want to thank people for everything they are doing.”
As of Sunday last week, nearly 500 people in Ealing signed up to help vulnerable residents in the borough through Ealing Together.
The platform coordinated by the council is a collaboration of community groups, charities, businesses and others who want to help in the Covid19 response.
Mr Sharma added: “This is an immensely difficult time for everyone, but we need to work together and follow government advice. If you are vulnerable or know of people who are, please make sure they have access to Ealing Together, our local service to support those most in need.”
Go to ealingtogether.org.