South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, (SECAmb), would like to thank the public for their continued support and is urging everyone to continue to closely follow the government’s coronavirus guidance throughout the Easter weekend and beyond.
SECAmb has been inundated with message of support and offers of assistance in recent weeks as staff and volunteers in the Trust’s 999 and 111 operations centres and out on the road have been working hard and under huge pressure to respond to patients while adapting to new ways of working.
SECAmb Executive Director of Nursing and Quality and the Trust’s Executive Covid-19 lead, Bethan Eaton-Haskins said: “It has been truly humbling to see the support from the public during these unprecedented times. This support, whether it be a message of thanks on social media, or an offer to help with resources or provide staff with help with their day-to-day living, it is all really appreciated. A small gesture goes a very long way and will be remembered.
“The single best way people can continue to support us, the wider NHS, its partner organisations and the whole country, however, is to follow the rules we must all abide by to limit the spread of the virus.”
SECAmb would also like to thank staff who have returned to work for the Trust to increase its operational capabilities in the coming weeks. In the region of 100 staff are returning to SECAmb on bank contracts to respond to patients.
A number of existing non-operational staff have adapted their roles to provided additional support to the operations team and volunteers have provided assistance in a variety of ways further support the Trust’s frontline response.
While maximising the Trust’s ability to respond to patients across its region, SECAmb has also recognised the pressure faced by its neighbouring London Ambulance Service. SECAmb responded to a mutual aid request and is providing 10 ambulances with crews to assist the capital response to Covid-19 initially for the next fortnight.
Bethan added: “I know I am speaking for the whole Trust Board when I say thank you to all our staff and volunteers for the way in which they have responded. As a service we have adapted to new ways of working, quicker than ever before, and risen to new challenges every day. Everyone can be extremely proud of the way in which they have responded to this ever-changing situation.”
Members of the public are urged to remember to only dial 999 in the event of a life-threatening or serious emergency and to seek advice when it’s not an emergency via their GP or NHS 111. The NHS 111 service remains very busy and people are urged to only call 111 if they can’t get online at nhs.111.uk.
For the latest SECAmb advice and to view a video message from Bethan Eaton-Haskins please visit our social media channels below.
Twitter: @SECAmbulance
Facebook: facebook.co.uk/secambulance