The NHS is facing increasing pressure to gather resources and keep staff well as it continues the battle to treat the outbreak and reduce the spread of COVID-19. We spoke to an Oral and Maxillofacial Doctor in South Wales about their take on the current situation, and the challenges they're facing.
As an NHS worker, how informed do you feel about the ongoing COVID-19 situation?
I feel well informed about the situation and working in hospital means that I see first hand what is going on. It’s important that the public start to listen to the advice given or else this will get much, much worse.
How does that compare to how informed you think the public are?
The public are being informed about what is happening but unfortunately many are ignoring the advice given to them and are not taking the situation seriously. There have been updates daily on the measures they should take and this needs to be taken seriously and followed.
What are the biggest challenges you're facing at the moment?
The biggest challenge is that many of the public are not listening to the advice given and we are seeing the numbers of covid-19 patients and mortalities increasing everyday because of this. Unfortunately the country will not have enough ITU beds and ventilators to cope with the increase in patients needing treatment if numbers continue to rise as they are.
What kind of support does the NHS need now, and in coming weeks and months?
We need the public to listen to government advice and take this matter seriously. To social-distance, for elderly people and those with health issues to stay at home as much as possible and also for people to stop stock piling food resulting in nothing left for nhs workers.
What advice do you have for other NHS colleagues to look after their own wellbeing in this unprecedented time?
Make sure to rest as much as possible and to take care of yourselves. Wear personal protective equipment properly whilst at work and also social-distance when at home.
