“We need everybody”

Sunday 29 March 2020

Guernsey’s healthcare workers are urging the community to work with them, by following Public Health’s advice and staying at home.

The key staff are working hard to ensure the island is prepared for a peak in the number of corona virus cases, and are asking members of the public to continue to play their part too.

The Bailiwick is heading into a second week of the schools being closed to all but the children of key workers, and we've almost spent a week in lockdown too. Many people are working from home and others are only working if it is essential to do so. 

“The community working with us has been phenomenal,” said Director of Hospital and Adult Community Services, Dermot Mullin. “That’s really key to us.

“The two key things for us is that they do listen to the Public Health messaging and check gov.gg/coronavirus - there’s lots of information on that.

“We’ve been saying in the PEH and with colleagues that work with us across children and families, community, mental health, adult disability and all the other services; this is a long journey, but we want everybody to work with us. We need everybody.”

Above: Elaine Burgess and Dermot Mullin are among the front line key health workers imploring us all to continue to stay at home. 

With the hospital undergoing rapid changes to meet the expected rise in demand, many healthcare workers are getting involved with extra training in preparation.

“From going round all the wards and speaking to my colleagues in the community, having the community support really matters to the staff here,” added Head of Acute Nursing, Elaine Burgess. “It makes a difference.

“We know this is going to be for a long while and we just need them to support us and Public Health by following the messages. At the moment, we really need them to stay with us on that journey.”

Pictured: Some of Guernsey's front line healthcare workers.