Royal Berkshire Hospital's chief executive Steve McManus talks about the "truly humbling" care of the hospital's staff fighting the coronavirus. He writes:
Just a few short months ago the RBH was celebrating its 180 anniversary, marking the highs and lows of nearly two centuries serving the people of Reading.
Now a coronavirus chapter will need to be added to the hospital’s history. And the stars of the story will undoubtedly be our staff whose care for the communities we serve is truly humbling.
They’ve been boosted by the amazing network of support from local people and businesses and I want to thank everyone for this outpouring of goodwill, it really does make a huge difference as we tackle this virus - day in and day out.
Of course one of the best ways everyone can help us is by following Government restrictions on staying at home unless it’s absolutely necessary to go out, social distancing and self isolating when necessary.
The majority of people are heeding this advice and it’s vital we continue to do this - our forecasting suggests we have yet to hit a peak which will bring further pressures on our hospital services and staff.
We have made some significant changes in the way the hospital is running – increasing Intensive Care beds, earmarking wards for Covid 19 cases, suspending elective surgery and holding virtual clinics.
READ ALSO: Reading care home residents test positive for coronavirus.
And we’re working hand in glove with our colleagues at the Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), local GP surgeries and social care partners to provide a co-ordinated healthcare support system. It’s very important the physical, mental health and wellbeing needs of our communities continue to be met and that requirements of non-Covid patients don’t get overlooked.
We’ve had to make some major changes, often quite quickly, because of the very nature of the outbreak. And more will be coming on stream very soon so we can continue to cope with the massive demands of the virus.
Whilst things are moving very swiftly, and some changes may feel a bit abrupt, I want people to know that there’s a huge amount of thought and planning goes into all this work. And, at the heart of everything we’re doing, the need to keep our patients, community and staff safe and well looked after is paramount.
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