NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s medical director Dr Kenneth Donaldson, right, shared his thoughts last week via the DG Health portal.
And he highlighted the seriousness of what has been going on in the region over the last few weeks.
Dr Donaldson wrote: “The past month in D&G has been different as we have been hit hard for the first time in this pandemic with a massive surge in the community, particularly with this new transmissible variant, that has resulted in enormous pressure being put on our secondary care services.
“The response from across the partnership has been incredible with all staff rising to the occasion to ensure our services continue to function.”
He thanks everyone for their efforts, with particular mention for the critical care unit, the covid wards and the Galloway Community Hospital.
Dr Donaldson continued: “Most days I have been wandering around DGRI popping into these areas to see how they are. Every day I leave them feeling proud and humbled. The sense of calm, control and teamwork is beyond my abilities to describe.
“I am very aware that this sense of calm is deceptive, everyone is incredibly busy and often many of the staff are in full PPE in restricted covid areas. Those individuals who need to wear ‘sessional’ PPE ie. they put on the full works, gown, FFP3 mask and visor and then wear them for hours on end, need special mention. For anyone reading this who is not familiar with sessional PPE, it is onerous and exhausting. For hours you cannot get a drink or nip to the loo.
“As healthcare professionals working in these areas they are used to their patients dying, it is an unavoidable aspect of the job, however the past few weeks have been relentless with a significant mortality from this disease. That, and the fact that almost all end of life discussions with families and loved ones takes place over the phone, has had an enormous emotional impact. “
He notes that CCU and ward staff have been working in such environments for many weeks and praises their efforts, adding:
“On behalf of all your patients and their families, on behalf of NHS D&G and from myself, I want to say thank you so much for your dedication and commitment. You are all truly amazing and we are all extremely proud of you.”
Ending on a positive note, Dr Donaldson said: “The end is in sight. Numbers are falling, our vaccination programme is progressing beyond expectations and there is real hope of a return to some form of normality in the months ahead.”
