It’s been quite a year for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and our staff. As the bells heralded the beginning of 2021, we all wished that we had come through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. We looked forward to a year less affected by illness, loss and worry.
We had hope – that the new year would be better and there have been real successes and moments of pride:
The amazing efforts of our vaccination teams as we worked so hard to protect the people we care for, and the fantastic support of the public, who have answered the call to roll up their sleeves.
The sense of family and mutual support, that has become so evident in every hospital, in every specialty, from porters and domestics to consultants and lead nurses. Our staff have been there for each other, keeping their colleagues going when things were especially challenging.
And make no mistake, times have been tough – Delta came, then more recently Omicron. The pressures on our staff and our services remained.
But, despite the difficulties of 2021, the optimism remains – the expectation that things WILL get better is still keeping our staff going, keeping them focused on delivering the highest-quality person-centred care to our patients.
So to celebrate the beginning of another new year, we asked some of our staff to share their hopes and dreams for 2022:
Susan Heron, Designated Senior Charge Nurse, Neonatal Unit, Princess Royal Maternity Hospital. This unit cares for some of the most vulnerable premature infants
I have just completed my 37th year in nursing. I could never have imagined the situation we are all currently facing. But I am constantly reminded of the amazing service provided by our NHS.
I work in a Neonatal Unit, where we care for sick or premature babies. They have amazing families who are supported, by us, through their often difficult journeys.
Through the last year, I have seen fantastic teamwork. I also see a greater awareness of mental health, and how it is so important to look after each other. This New Year will, I am sure, bring new challenges, but I know we will be ready to meet them, together.
Lewis Doult, Acting Lead Nurse, Paediatrics, Royal Hospital for Children
This has been such a tough year for everyone at NHSGGC, and I’m so proud of all my colleagues for the way they have kept going through these difficult times. My hope for 2022 is for our staff to continue to show resilience in the ongoing pandemic and to continue to deliver excellent care and support to our patients and families.
Dr Pauline Grose, Consultant Acute Physician, Glasgow Royal Infirmary
There’s not been much time for profound thoughts this new year, but essentially the ongoing message from the Acute Medical Team at GRI is that team working continues to be the best remedy to our ongoing struggle with COVID and other acute pressures. The past year has continued to demonstrate the extraordinary achievements of all team members in ensuring that, despite everyone being fatigued, we continue to offer excellence of care to our patients.
There remains a desire to support all team members, recognise when individuals are struggling and offer support and good humour when needed.
Dr Abigail Gunn, Lead Medical Consultant at Inverclyde Royal Hospital and Consultant in Acute Medicine and Stroke
My professional hope for 2022 is to work with all the teams at Inverclyde Royal Hospital to help each and every individual achieve their potential, and in turn provide the local area with the best care we can possibly provide. Establishment of a clinical skills teaching symposium for the doctors, further recruitment drives and facilitating access to the newest COVID therapies are all in planning and have started to be delivered.
Team IRH has shown significant success despite COVID-19 pressures over the past year, including achieving Investors in People recognition, on site nurse training sessions for advanced skills and recruitment of Advanced Nurse Practitioners. Investing resource, compassion and care into our team is the most valuable investment that we can make, and will result in the best patient experience possible.
Professor Kevin Rooney, Clinical Director for Critical Care for Clyde and a Consultant Intensivist within the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
Over the last two years we have seen the benefits of taking part in clinical research in tackling emerging diseases such as COVID-19. We now have the successful vaccination programme which not only protects us from COVID but also minimises the severity of disease. My hope for 2022, is that we will continue with this relentless focus to learn from clinical research and find out what treatments work well, why and under what circumstances so that we can reduce COVID related morbidity and mortality.
My other hope is slightly more personal. Thanks to funding from the Endowments Committee and the Green Exercise Partnership, we are building a HALO (Hero And Loved Ones) critical care garden at the RAH. This is a sanctuary space outside that allows ICU staff and patients to get outside for respite and give them the opportunity to see patient family members, especially during COVID when indoor visits have been difficult. This garden which has been co-designed by staff, patients and family members will be opened in March 2022 and not only commemorate and remember the sacrifices endured by patients, families and staff but also celebrate the healing process as well, I hope this will be of huge benefit to our patients, their families and our staff.