Marking one year since Covid-19 lockdown restrictions began, frontline staff have joined forces as part of a social media campaign to encourage their colleagues, and wider Lanarkshire population, to stick with it.
The short videos, which were released during March, featured members of staff from departments including the emergency department, Acute Respiratory Illness Centre, renal, intensive care, maternity, mental health, physiotherapy, district nursing and the Covid-19 vaccination team.
The past year has been tough on everyone in Lanarkshire, including NHS Lanarkshire staff. Colleagues across the organisation have been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic to ensure that patient care standards remain to remain extremely high.
Speaking within his video, Gary Downie, senior charge nurse for mental health, said: “Although it has been a very difficult year, we are approaching some sort of light at the end of the tunnel. We are coming towards the end of a very difficult time and the generalised message that we want to get across is for people – including staff – to stick with it.”
Leah Noble, senior midwife, said: “I would like to say a huge thanks to everyone who have complied with the measures that we have had to put in place due to Covid-19. I’d ask that you continue with these measures – i.e. wearing a mask, especially within the maternity unit and in public places, frequent hand washing and maintaining a social distance.”
Laura McCabe, senior advanced nurse practitioner for the Acute Respiratory Illness Centre, said: “Over the past few weeks we have seen a significant decrease in the number of patients coming through our centre. This has been really positive for our staff to see and highlights that the restrictions are working. The main thing is stick with it. I know it’s frustrating. We have been here for a year now but we are getting there. We’ve got a wee bit to go and hopefully everything will return to normal soon. Lanarkshire, please, stick with the FACTS and we will get there.”
Stephan Dalchow, consultant anaesthetist, said: “There is light at the end of the tunnel. But it is very important that we, and you, stick to the guidelines and observe social distancing and hygiene rules. And the better we do it now, the sooner we will be back to doing the things we like.
To view all of the videos, follow @NHSLanarkshire on facebook, twitter or Instagram.
Those taking part in the social media campaign were:
- Arlene Anderson, Vaccinator and Staff Nurse
- Zoe Cousland, Renal Consultant
- Stephan Dalchow, Consultant Anaesthetist and Clinical Director for Anaesthesia & Critical Care
- Tracey Dodd, Senior Charge Nurse
- Gary Downie, Senior Charge Nurse CPN
- Laura McCabe, Senior Advanced Nurse Practitioner
- Pauline Morris, Clinical Support Worker
- Leah Noble, Senior Midwife
- Claire Rae, Head of Physiotherapy Services
- Andrew Robertson, Vaccinator
- Sharon Steel, Community Staff Nurse
