Nurses’ emotional plea to break the coronavirus chain
NURSES have made an emotional plea to people to help stop spreading coronavirus and break the chain of illness and death.
In a heart-breaking video they called on every single person to play a part in stamping out the virus locally. They have suffered weeks of pressure in Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital and in care homes.
Retailers and businesses in North East Lincolnshire have joined forces to show support for NHS and social care key workers in the borough.
As the area remains in the very high level of Covid restrictions, the business community has teamed with North East Lincolnshire Council to urge the public to break the chain, stop the spread and adhere to hands, face and space guidance, particularly when the local restrictions are lifted for the Christmas period.
In a new campaign, business owners across popular shopping areas, Sea View Street and in Grimsby, collaborated to convey key updates from some of the dedicated nurses at Diana, Princess of
Wales Hospital (High Dependency, Respiratory wards and Midwifery), GP Practices and care homes across the area. Retailers took to the camera, sharing insights from the front-line workers, for a public film, which will go out via the business community’s, Council and CCG’s social media platforms. Councillor John Fenty, cabinet member for business, at North East Lincolnshire council said: “Whilst retailers aim to welcome shoppers back to the high street safely, in the run-up to Christmas, we cannot forget that patient admissions are still a significant cause for concern. “Community efforts to break the chain, stop the spread and adhere to government guidance, hands, face and space needs to be a collective effort. “Retailers are doing a great job to make key safety measures are in place. Together, we’re urging the public for support to follow the guidelines, particularly in the run up to, and throughout the Christmas period.” Rosemary Hodgson, assistant manager of the High Dependency Unit at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital Grimsby said: “Working throughout Covid has been challenging and we’re urging the public to help.
“On the High Dependency Unit, we are a red ward, which means we look after Covid-positive patients. It’s tough on our patients and their families as visiting is restricted but we’ve been doing all we can to keep people in touch via video calls.
“We’ve seen some truly heartbreaking cases, which have affected us all. It’s one thing looking after a Covid patient but to look after them in critical care is so challenging for staff both physically and emotionally.
“Please help to break the chain and
stop the spread.”
Jenny Harrison, Specialist Respiratory Nurse at the hospital said: “By not following the guidance, you’re risking infecting someone for who Covid may be life threatening.
“Not only that, but please think of the potential knock-on effect to hospital staff who have to self-isolate because they or someone they live with has tested positive.” Understanding the essential need for wellbeing across other departments, nurses on the midwifery ward have worked to overcome challenges faced to support new mums, as they are faced with giving birth without birthing partners. Midwife Vicki Booth, added: “We know that the past few months have been tough on new mums with the national visiting restrictions, but they are in place for you and your baby’s safety.
“We have to reduce the number of people on site to slow the spread but we have recently introduced a bookable appointments system for birthing partners as we know how important it is for mum’s wellbeing to have someone with her.”
Dr Ekta Elston, GP and Medical Director at NHS North East Lincolnshire CCG, said: “We are seeing first-hand, the effects of Covid cases in North East Lincolnshire. We have seen the pressured intensive care wards and the exhausted, shell-shocked health and social care staff.
“We are urging the public to help break the chain, stop the spread and adhere to hands, face and space.” Melina Coggan, Registered Manager at Sussex House Care Home added: “All care home staff are working extremely hard through a very challenging and difficult time. They are taking care of residents and really need the public to play their part and follow the rules, adhering to hands, face, space so that one day soon, residents can have regular visits with their family and loved ones. We are asking for help to reduce the high risk of infection to the vulnerable people in our community.” Kate Douglas, business owner at Dock Beers, said: “On behalf of the sector, we’re asking the public to please help do their bit and to really get behind the NHS who haven’t stopped and who will be continuing to support us all this Christmas time, when restrictions are relaxed.”