Prince of Wales Royal Berkshire Hospital visit 'a boost for staff'

To mark the five year anniversary of the start of the Covid pandemic, his Royal Highness met with staff from the hospital who experienced the tragedy first hand.

He toured the facility and garden where he also spoke to the in-house artist and visited the memorial trees planted for the two members of staff who lost their lives to Covid  - Dr Peter Tun and Nurse Julie Edward.

Oasis Health and Wellness Centre opened in December 2020 for staff and patients with the help of NHS Charities Together and the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.

The multi-million pound Oasis Health & Wellbeing Centre and Garden provides services such as a free gym, yoga sessions, art lessons and a place for staff to enjoy their down-time away from the hospital.

The Royal Berkshire Hospital was significantly affected by the coronavirus pandemic, and tragically, the first patient to die of Covid-19 in the UK died at the Royal Berkshire in March 2020.

NHS Charities Together launched the Urgent Covid-19 Appeal in March 2020, raising over £15 million in the first five days and going on to raise over £160 million to support patients, hospital staff, and volunteers at the frontline of the crisis.

Reaching every corner of the UK, funds helped nearly two thirds of NHS staff including via counselling, rest areas, and projects in the community.

The Prince of Wales became the Patron of NHS Charities Together, in December 2020.

His visit was to see the impact of funds provided by the charity since the coronavirus pandemic.

The Prince of Wales said: “I’m so pleased that this is so positive [the Oasis Health & Wellbeing Centre] after everything that you have all experienced. You all are doing your respective parts within the mental health support as well as the front line stuff that you have been doing and that’s wonderful.”

Steve McManus, CEO, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust spoke to the royal alongside nurses and users of the health & wellness centre about what it offers and what is needed in the future.

He said: “It is an absolute huge boost for staff. There is a big focus across the NHS on health and wellbeing and we have gone a lot further through Covid.

"I recognise that this space is important for the mental and physical health of users.

"This is a very special place."

When asked by the royal about what needs to be come in the future to help staff and patients, he said: “We obviously still need to keep pushing boundaries and think how we can be better.

“You don't rest on your laurels. Part of my job is to keep pushing the boundaries on that. In terms of the support that we provide, you know where the gaps are and you know just how we can constantly challenge ourselves.

“As leaders within the NHS about supporting our people better, we have a phrase here that we use a lot in the organisation, which is ‘how can we be better than yesterday’.

Steve spoke to the Chronicle about the visit from the Prince of Wales where he said that it was ‘such a privilege’ to have him at the hospital.

He added: “It gives such a boost to the people here in the organisation so it’s been a great morning.”

Sergio Tammelleo, Lead Nurse specialist whose team received support from psychological service when he dealt with some of the first Covid patients and deaths in March 2020.

During the Covid pandemic he was one of the hundreds of staff that made the decision to stay away from his family who all live in Italy.

He said: “It was so great to have Prince William here. It means a lot to us that they address the health and wellbeing of the staff.

“Whenever the first death occurred no-one knew how to deal with it, and we were so scared. Everyone had to be so careful and it affected us.

“When the centre opened it was so great to have a nice place to come and sit and relax especially in the Summer.

“After everything, the whole thing is still in me, and I will always remember the first 10 to 15 deaths but the centre has really helped during and after Covid for me.”