“Our staff have been wonderful”.
These are the words of Heather Knox, NHS Lanarkshire chief executive, as we approach the anniversary of the first lockdown.
Heather said: “My overwhelming impression of the last 12 months is the unceasing dedication of health and social care staff in the face of this unprecedented challenge.
“We have had to pause non-urgent planned operations and a range of outpatient appointments. Heart-breaking decisions have had to be made around our visiting arrangements in care homes and our hospitals, which saw so many people unable to be close to their vulnerable and unwell family members and friends.
“I believe those hard choices were the right thing to do to protect us all and I know staff did their best to accommodate special circumstances such as the sadness of end-of-life moments in a hospital or care home, or the joy of a new life beginning in our maternity department.
“Our staff have been wonderful and I have been amazed every day of the last year to witness their commitment. Many of them have stepped into unfamiliar roles across our acute and community care services, including the difficult environment of the intensive care unit and, most recently, to support the enormous logistical challenge our Covid-19 vaccination programme.
“Colleagues have worked harder than ever before, pushing through tiredness and the emotional toll they’ve faced daily. We have tried to help by working with our staff-side colleagues to ensure a real focus on staff wellbeing over the past year, and made sure that there are plenty of resources to support our staff.
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to all of my magnificent colleagues, across health and social care, and reiterate the important message – stick with it, Lanarkshire!”
