Bassetlaw Hospital chief warns of coronavirus peak ‘during and after Easter’

The chief executive of Bassetlaw Hospital has warned coronavirus is likely to peak in the area ‘during and after Easter’.
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Richard Parker has written in an open letter how the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Trust is increasing its intensive care beds from 28 to nearly 130 across its three hospitals in preparation.

He wrote how staff ‘move into the relative unknown’ during the next few weeks.

However he added it would be ‘knowing that we have prepared as well as we can to ensure that we are in the best shape possible to face the challenges ahead of us’.

Bassetlaw Hospital  chief executive Richard Parker says coronavirus is likely to peak in the area ‘during and after Easter’Bassetlaw Hospital  chief executive Richard Parker says coronavirus is likely to peak in the area ‘during and after Easter’
Bassetlaw Hospital chief executive Richard Parker says coronavirus is likely to peak in the area ‘during and after Easter’

Richard said members of the public would need ‘self-discipline and resolve throughout the next few months’.

He wrote how Worksop and Retford - along with Doncaster - had been ‘relatively fortunate so far’ but nine people had died of Covid-19 across the hospital trust.

His letter read: “These individuals were mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and friends - the loss of each is a tragedy and we share our deepest sympathies with their families.

“Unfortunately we know that during the course of this pandemic we will lose further loved ones however it is in our collective power to try to reduce this number.

“And the way we do this is relatively simple - staying indoors and only venturing out when it is absolutely necessary.”

Speaking about the need to follow Government advice on social distancing Richard commended those who had stayed indoors during this weekend’s sunny weather.

He wrote: “As an NHS Trust which straddles two counties we count on the goodwill you endlessly offer to your local hospitals.

“And we are asking you once again to dig-deep and support us - making those necessary sacrifices which will make a world of difference for our clinicians as they work against Covid-19.

“In return our promise to you is that individually, as wards and departments and as hospital teams, we will give you our all.

“Hospital colleagues will work day and night caring for those that need it most.

“So please stay at home, protect the NHS and help us beat Covid-19 - what you do now and the actions you take have the potential to save lives.”

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