The Respiratory and Intensive Care teams were nominated by Richard Parker OBE, Chief Executive at the Trust, who wished to recognise the exceptional efforts of his colleagues during peaks in hospital admissions. The teams went above and beyond to offer patients the best care possible as well as continuing to care for those who needed urgent treatment for conditions unrelated to the virus.
The teams worked under extraordinary pressures and in unfamiliar circumstances, providing care whilst wearing additional levels of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) through the especially warm summer months. Even before the first patients afflicted with COVID were admitted to hospital in March, the teams had to rapidly increase their capacity and prepare new ways of working so they were ready for the emerging challenges. This work saw them fundamentally changing the way they and their patients moved in and out of their areas. Even moving entire wards to new locations to help manage the increased demand for high flow oxygen and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines.
Richard said: “Working tirelessly since March, these teams have been at the very front-line of the Trusts response to COVID-19, making a number of sacrifices to ensure that our services were appropriately staffed. My colleagues in our respiratory and critical care facilities have selflessly put their own anxieties aside to care for those who were extremely vulnerable and in fragile health.
“We cannot thank them enough for their hard work and dedication. Presenting them with this award is just a small gesture of our thanks and one that I hope brings them a boost as they work through the second wave alongside winter challenges.”
The teams on all of the units were presented with a box of goodies including refreshments that they can keep in their staff rooms on the wards for when they need a hot drink or a bite to eat during future shifts.
At present, the Trust’s COVID-19 related activity remains consistent, however health professionals throughout Doncaster and Bassetlaw are urging local people to continue to adhere to guidance, ensuring instances of the illness are kept as low as possible within the community.