NHS staff left psychologically scarred by pandemic, boss says

Diane Wake said staff at Russells Hall Hospital became "fearful" during the second wave of the virus, which saw 250 coronavirus patients being treated during the busiest period in January.

The chief executive of the Dudley Group NHS Trust praised the efforts of staff, saying they had shown "incredible team spirit" and commitment in the face of testing circumstances.

She told the Express & Star: "After the first wave we knew it had not gone away, but we were all hoping that we wouldn't get a second wave. As we started to get more patients in staff were worried, they were fearful.

"It's had a massive psychological impact on some of them. In that first wave everybody across the NHS was learning about how to best manage Covid patients.

"We were dealing with quite a lot of death – more than you would usually deal with – and some staff were quite psychologically scarred.

"When you are seeing patients that you have dealt with pass away, and the support you have to give to families and patients, it can be draining."

Former nurse Mrs Wake said during the busiest periods she and members of her executive team donned their scrubs to help out with Covid patients.

"At times I did put my scrubs on and went and helped in areas where I felt I could be helpful, whether it was moving a patient from the emergency department to our acute medical unit, going and helping someone to get washed or dressed, helping people to get discharged home," she said.

"We wanted to be there for staff, and if we could do anything to help we would do it.

"Everyone has really pulled together and I have been overwhelmed and amazed at the work the staff have done."

Staff absence at the hospital during the past year peaked at 10.5 per cent but is now down to just under five per cent.