NHS’s ‘postpone holidays’ appeal
Health bosses at hospitals serving South Tyneside and Sunderland have asked staff to postpone holidays after a spike in coronavirus cases across the region.
StaffatSouthTynesideand Sunderland NHS Foundation Trustareseeinghospitalcases doubling week-on-week.
In an internal note to staff earlier this week, bosses said therewere80Covid-19patients receiving hospital treatment comparedwithjusttwoexactly amonthbefore,asSunderland and South Tyneside report some of the highest case rates in the country.
Health chiefs said there were 80 Covid-19 patients receiving hospital treatment compared with just two exactly a month before.
Bosses have asked staff if they wish to work additional shifts, with a £250 bonus for staff who could work an extra week of overtime spread over the next six weeks.
It is understood the extra shifts are through the NHSP Professionals staffing bank and are for nursing staff and alliedhealthprofessionalswho can take up extra shifts to support clinical areas.
Dr Shaz Wahid, medical director at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, said in a press statement: "We are seeing increasing numbers of patients accessing our services and rising admissions due to the current high numbers of Covid-19 in our local community.
"Understandably, this has had an impact on our workforce as well as the wider public.
"Our amazing teams have worked tirelessly to support us throughout the pandemic andweareimmenselygrateful to each and every one of them.
"We continue to review the situation on a daily basis and haverobustcontingencyplans in place, but have also asked
our staff to be flexible and to postponeleaveonlywherethey are happy and able to do so.
"We are urging the public to continue supporting us by wearing a mask, washing your hands and social distancing in all of our hospital and community buildings. If you haven't already had your Covid-19 jab I would also urge you to get one as soon as possible."
The memo to staff said: "If youareduetotakeannualleave butfeelabletopostponethisto help support the Trust's Covid-19 response, please talk to your line manager ASAP."
Thosestaffwhowereableto workfromhomewereurgedto do so, reducing footfall at varioussitesacrossthefoundation trust.