Karen Howell, Chief Executive of Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, writes for Globe.

 

THE COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest public health emergency in our lifetime and it calls for decisive action across the world, the UK, the Northwest and here in Wirral.

Here at Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, we're working closely with our NHS partners both at the hospital and across primary care, as well as other statutory bodies, including Wirral Council in order to protect the vulnerable, provide NHS services to those that need them the most and ultimately save lives.

As part of the national response, all NHS Trusts that provide community health and care services have been instructed to focus on core service delivery which inevitably means some services you are used to may not be provided at this time.

In so doing, we've been able to re-assign many of our amazing, highly skilled and dedicated staff to those parts of the organisation that are directly supporting the COVID-19 response in Wirral.

Particularly where we are supporting people to leave hospital quickly and safely as soon as they are well enough to do so, and have the right support once they’re home.

We have contacted those people directly affected by the changes to our services and we will continue to provide care to those patients who are high risk.

For the full list of services that have been stopped or partially stopped, please visit our website www.wchc.nhs.uk

So, how can you help in the fight against COVID-19?

• Follow the national guidance and stay at home so that we can support you. Remember; Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home). If you go out, stay two metres (6ft) away from other people at all times. Wash your hands as soon as you get home o Do not meet others, even friends or family.

• Good hand hygiene is vital - wash your hands often with soap and water - do this for at least 20 seconds (use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available).

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze and put used tissues in the bin straight away. Wash your hands afterwards.

• Volunteer - I’ve been blown away by the number of people from across the country who have signed up to offer their time, and help their local community and NHS.

If you would like to provide direct support to NHS staff here at the Trust and the delivery of our services, call us for more information on 0151 514 2888.

You can also volunteer to support local community groups by visiting www.wirralinfobank.co.uk

A heartfelt thank you goes to all key workers across all sectors who have come together to support the NHS in its fight against COVID-19.

From supermarket staff who are constantly replenishing food, making shopping safe and enabling NHS staff to access stores early, the police forces up and down the country, to the delivery drivers dropping off equipment and delivering goods and the post office staff.

To all the keyworkers, even those I haven’t mentioned, we can’t thank you enough.

To find out more about COVID-19 and how to avoid catching or spreading it, visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.

It’s important to remember that you can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms, so please stay at home to save lives.

Please visit our website www.wchc.nhs.uk for updates on our services.