Senior medical leaders in Northern Ireland have welcomed measures to support health professionals working on the frontline in hospitals, GP surgeries, emergency departments and community healthcare settings announced by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Health Minister Robin Swann (March 19).
Yesterday the scale of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic was described by Health Minister Swann to be of ‘biblical proportions’ and that potentially Northern Ireland could be facing 9-15,000 deaths.
Over the past few weeks health professionals in NI have described the need for more Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and the expansion of testing for the virus. We welcome the news yesterday from the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride that the testing of healthcare workers in self-isolation will begin, supporting our colleagues to work safely.
Against a backdrop of the rising impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, leaders from Northern Ireland’s medical colleges have stressed the need to support health care colleagues who are working incredibly hard to deliver best levels of patient care under extremely challenging circumstances.
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM), Royal College of Surgeons (Eng), Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Glasgow, Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health, Royal College of Anaesthetics, Royal College of Ophthalmologists, Royal College of Pathologists, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Royal College of Physicians London and Royal College of Psychiatrists collectively represent thousands of medical professionals in Northern Ireland.
The Royal Colleges said:
“We welcome the urgent written statement by the health minister on preparations for the impact of the novel coronavirus, Covid-19 issued yesterday (19 March 2020),“This unprecedented pandemic is challenging the health care systems of virtually every country across the world and Northern Ireland is no exception. Staff throughout the service are continuing to work hard in hugely difficult circumstances to ensure patients are being treated and cared for safely. Despite these best efforts we know that lives will be lost and Northern Ireland sadly has suffered the first of those losses this week.
“As leaders we welcome the Minister’s plan and his recognition of the commitment of healthcare staff and the support and protection they will need to deliver in a manner that protects both patients and healthcare workers. While we are pleased with the reassurances around the supply of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) we ask him to ensure that his measures are implemented with urgency given the concerns raised by medical professionals across the HSC.
“Early warning of any proposed changes to the PPE protocol as new evidence emerges is critical to ensuring confidence in the system and the Colleges will work closely with the Minister and wider service to disseminate any such evidence.
“Curbing the spread of infection will only be possible if best practice guidance is available and strictly followed.
“Primary Care is currently exploring new ways of working with healthcare colleagues. We recognise in these unprecedented times the need to work together. Where previously boundaries existed between General Practice and Hospital staff, those that work during the day and those at night, these divisions must fade away to allow us to face this challenge as one united health team.
“With the growing circulation of the COVID -19 virus and increasing numbers of healthcare workers self-isolating, there is an immediate challenge to the whole system of how we are to meet the needs of those workers requiring assessment and treatment. We need to ensure these workers are free from Covid-19 and if they are able, then they can make a quick return to work. This experience of frontline staff is needed now more than ever.
“With regard to the updated guidance on Covid-19 testing we commend our colleagues in HSC Laboratory Services for the rapid expansion in capacity and will support their efforts to grow this further over the coming weeks. It is essential to the continued operation of our services that frontline health and social care staff have access to testing to protect not only the delivery of services, but them as individuals and their families. The Minister and his team must move swiftly to ensure access to this testing.
“The increase in beds and equipment to deal with the numbers of patients we expect is also welcome and we commend our colleagues across the HSC family for the combined efforts to enable the repurposing of our facilities. Our members and colleagues across the various disciplines have and will continue to work flexibly to assist this team effort.
“There’s no doubt that we face a serious and rapidly evolving situation which requires strong leadership and the commitment of everyone delivering health and social care in Northern Ireland. We offer the Minister, his team and our wider HSC colleagues our full support. We are in this together and will deliver the highest possible care for our patients, together.”
