For hospital staff caring for patients with coronavirus, there can surely be no better sight than to see a patient leaving the ward after successfully beating the disease.

So imagine the joy, not only for ward staff but for the whole of Castle Hill Hospital’s endoscopy team when 52-year old Neil McDonald left hospital yesterday evening.

Neil was not only a patient, but a fellow employee at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, having worked as a healthcare assistant in the endoscopy team for some 15 years.

Neil began to experience coronavirus symptoms at the end of April, testing positive for COVID-19 shortly before he was admitted to Hull Royal Infirmary on May 3^rd.

Within a day, Neil’s condition had deteriorated to the point where he required the specialist support of HRI’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU). And that’s where he stayed for the next nine weeks.

Neil was ventilated and sedated, and his condition fluctuated many times while in ICU. Loved ones, staff and colleagues prepared themselves for the worst on several occasions.

But Neil proved to be a proper fighter, and having finally turned a corner in early July, he was able to leave intensive care for ward 5 where he spent a week, before moving on to complex rehabilitation ward 9 at Castle Hill to complete his hospital-based recovery.

Friend and endoscopy team registered nurse, Allyson Pattison said:

“As healthcare workers, we’ve been all too aware of the devastating impact coronavirus has had on individuals and families, but it hits even harder when it’s someone close to you who’s affected.

“Endoscopy is a close team, so finding out that Neil was seriously ill in hospital with COVID19 was such a blow to all of us. It was absolutely awful, and we were so worried about him, especially as his condition seemed to keep fluctuating; there were several times when we thought we were going to lose him.

“Obviously he wasn’t able to communicate with us while he was in intensive care, so it was such a relief when a few of us started to receive messages from him again just before he moved onto ward 5. We’d heard nothing for weeks and then we started to see him pop up on social media again, it was brilliant and just what we’d all been waiting for.”

Allyson has paid tribute to all of her hospital co-workers who have cared for Neil and supported his recovery:

“The staff in ICU who cared for Neil have done an amazing job, in fact I take my hat off to all of the staff who have played a part in his recovery. They did their absolute best to keep him going.

“When patients are with you for a long time, you do bond with them so it must have been incredibly hard for them to see a colleague so desperately ill too. They’ve been through the highs and lows with us and with Neil’s loved ones, and we’re just so fortunate and grateful to have him back.”

Having spent weeks being fed via a tube, Neil has had to re-train his stomach to start accepting solid food again, and being able to enjoy proper, home-cooked food again is one of the things he’s said to be looking forward to most.

In a short but heart-felt message sent after leaving hospital, Neil said: “To my family, ICU staff, the staff on ward 5 at Hull Royal Infirmary and Ward 9C at Castle Hill Hospital, friends and colleagues: thank you all for your support to help me beat COVID19 and be here to tell the story of my recovery. THANK YOU SO MUCH.”

Neil’s manager in endoscopy, Lucy Holgate, and the rest of her team are thrilled to see Neil doing so well, with many even popping down to cheer him off the ward yesterday:

“After spending months on an emotional roller-coaster, we were all so moved to spend the moment with him when he left ward 9C. We have missed him so much on the unit, especially his humour, and we are all so, so happy to see him on the road to recovery”.

Chris Long, Chief Executive of Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said 3,000 outpatient appointments a day were cancelled for four months along with routine surgery and hospital procedures at Hull Royal, Castle Hill Hospital, Hull Women and Children’s Hospital and Hull Eye Hospital.

Now, with the initial peak of the virus over, all hospitals are attempting to resume surgery, outpatient clinics and other services against the backdrop of the still-present virus, the constraints of social distancing and the requirement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

In a direct video message to patients, Mr Long said: “I am really, really sorry. None of us want to see people in pain or want to see people suffering or having to wait.

“We are doing everything that we can to try and get through the work. We are doing everything we can to change way that we do things and we are looking at how to work with partners to do some things differently.

“We are absolutely focused on getting you treated as soon as we possibly can.”

More than 44,000 people have lost their lives to the virus in the UK, including 203 at Hull Royal and Castle Hill since March 19. More than 500 people with the virus have been discharged from hospital and around 24 patients with either confirmed or suspected Covid-19 are still receiving treatment.

Mr Long said the trust was currently “running to stand still” to maintain hospital services after the cancellation of all but life or limb saving surgery following the lockdown in March.

He said: “Due to the constraints and the need to maintain social distancing, due to the need of our staff changing their PPE frequently, our productivity has gone right down.

“We can’t see the volumes of patients we normally do and I’m afraid the consequences are people are going to have to wait longer for operations and other procedures.

“Everything but urgent life-saving or limb-saving operations had to be cancelled while we prepared. We see about 3,000 outpatients every day so it doesn’t take long for that to build up.

“Due to the reduction in productivity, it is going to take years to recover. I’m afraid there is not going to be a quick fix.”

Video and telephone consultations have been introduced in some services where appropriate to help reduce waiting lists and prevent people making unnecessary trips to hospital. Clinical teams work together to prioritise patients awaiting treatment and the trust is working with Spire Hospital so those most in need are treated.

Mr Long said the trust was now preparing for a potential second wave later in the year, with two new wards being constructed at the back of the tower block at Hull Royal Infirmary to care for patients with the virus.

The Chief Executive has appealed to the public to continue following social distancing, hand hygiene and not to come to hospital if they are showing any symptoms of the virus including a dry, continuous cough, a temperature or the loss of their sense of taste or smell.

He also paid tribute to the trust’s 9,000-plus workforce for working throughout the pandemic to ensure they could care for those most in need.

He said: “They have been absolutely magnificent.

“they have thrown themselves into it. People have put themselves at risk without any thoughts for themselves.

“They have done everything that they can to make sure our patients are looked after properly and cared for properly. They have worked as a team brilliantly and it has been flat out.

“What I cannot emphasis enough is just how long this has been going on for. Having come out of winter, they went straight into this and they are still hard at it.

“Everyone should be really proud of their NHS Staff. I couldn’t be prouder of them.”

Chris Long, Chief Executive of Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Although the number of patients dying in our hospitals is stabilizing, we must never forget the devastation COVID-19 has already caused to so many families.

“From March 19 until now, 202 people have died of the virus in our hospitals. Huge numbers of families have been affected and their lives will never be the same again. Our thoughts have been with them since the very start of the outbreak.

“At this point, I want to pay tribute to our staff who have responded with overwhelming compassion and dedication from the very beginning and continue to do so every day. They have cared for the sick and dying as they would for any member of their own family and they have my heartfelt gratitude.

“No one should use the slowing of the death rate as an excuse to ignore the measures in place to reduce the spread of infection. If we are to stand any chance of avoiding a second wave, we must follow the guidance to keep our community as safe as possible.”

Hospital Chief Executive Chris Long is issuing a stark warning to pub-goers to honour their commitment to ‘Protect the NHS’ this weekend as pubs across Hull and the East Riding re-open for business.

Emergency services are on high alert as pubs and restaurants prepare to open on Saturday for the first time since the lockdown was introduced on March 23 to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

Mr Long, Chief Executive of Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said now was the time for people to “Protect the NHS” by not placing another burden on Hull Royal Infirmary.

He said: “People stood on their doorsteps every Thursday night for weeks and applauded our staff because they appreciated how hard we were working to save lives.

“This weekend, act like you meant it. Don’t drink too much, get into fights or risk having an accident caused by alcohol just because you can go to a pub again.

“Our Emergency Department is under intense pressure already, not just with patients with Covid-19 but with those who still come here with minor illnesses and injuries when they should go elsewhere.

“We don’t need any extra burden caused by drunks who refuse to accept when they’ve had enough. Don’t be that person.”

Staff at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital have been under immense pressure since they dealt with the first confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the UK in January. Two hundred people have died at both hospitals since March 19.

This week, the trust announced more than 500 people with the virus had recovered enough to go home. However, around 50 people with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 remain in hospital, including those with the most severe form of the disease.

Fears are mounting that the reopening of pubs will result in a surge of new infections if people drop their guard and ignore social distancing measures.

Mr Long said: “The restrictions might be easing for you but my people remain on the frontline of Covid-19.

“Never forget our teams have been dealing with this every day for almost four months. They are exhausted but they are still holding the hands of the dying whose loved ones can’t be with them in their final hours.

“If you’re going out this weekend, remember us and your commitment to protect the NHS.

“Behave responsibly and ensure your friends and family do the same.

“We just do not have the resources, time or energy to deal with people who harm themselves or others because they can’t say no to yet another drink.”

The first confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the UK were confirmed at Castle Hill Hospital on 29th January, 2020. Ever since then our staff have been on the frontline in the fight against this terrible illness. Tragically, over 200 patients, including two of our colleagues, have lost their lives.

At our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday 13 July, 12pm-2pm, you can hear our Infectious Diseases team tell their story, via video conference. Describing the first moment Coronavirus arrived in the UK all the way to our current position in the hospitals, this will be a first-hand account of how NHS staff have worked together to keep us safe.

With introductions from our Chairman, Terry Moran, we will pay tribute to our staff and remember everyone who has lost their lives  this year.

The AGM also includes a review of the year from Chief Executive, Chris Long, as well as a look at our financial position with Chief Finance Officer, Lee Bond.

If you wish to join us from 12pm on the 13th July, please let us know by emailing us at hyp-tr.comms@nhs.net and we will send dial in details to you.

Please note that we will be recording this meeting  held in public in order to make it available to staff and if possible, the public, afterwards. If you join via video link your image may be captured as part of the meeting.  If you do not wish your image to be recorded, please do not turn on your camera

Due to bandwith restrictions numbers are limited but we will seek to accommodate as many people as possible.

People coming to Hull Royal Infirmary’s Emergency Department must not bring anyone with them as hospital staff attempt to protect the public from Covid-19.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is appealing to the public to come alone if they need to attend Hull Royal Infirmary’s Emergency Department.

More than 300 people a day have been attending ED recently, many of them bringing friends or family members which has made social distancing in the department extremely difficult.

In a direct appeal to people, Chief Operating Officer Teresa Cope said: “If you are coming to our Emergency Department, please come alone.

“We’ve changed our department so we can isolate people with signs of Covid-19 but that means we have less space for those with less serious illnesses and injuries.

“We understand people want someone with them when they are unwell or hurt but we cannot follow social distancing if too many people come into our department.

“People accept they have to travel alone in ambulances when they are brought to hospital for emergency treatment and we are now extending that to our department.”

The patients-only rule is being introduced as the trust experiences a surge in attendances, with around 330 people attending each day compared to fewer than 200 at the height of the lockdown.

Almost four in ten have minor or less serious illnesses and injuries who could have gone to Urgent Treatment Centres, pharmacies, GP surgeries or the walk-in GP surgery at Wilberforce Health Centre.

Some have been attending with minor skin complaints or verrucas or long-standing complaints like coughs which should be treated by a GP in the first instance. Others have been attending with minor injuries like small cuts or sprains which could be treated by fully trained emergency staff at Urgent Treatment Centres at Bransholme, Beverley, Bridlington or Goole.

Teresa Cope said special provision would be made for children, those with additional needs or those with carers who required additional support while attending the department during Covid-19.

She said: “We accept some people will require support when they come to us for help, from those with learning difficulties, children or those with carers, but we need everyone else to help us by coming alone.

“If you need someone to bring you to hospital, make arrangements to call them when it’s time to collect you. Do not ask them to come into the department with you.

“Although the lockdown might be easing for the public, Hull Royal infirmary remains on the frontline and we must do all we can to keep everyone safe, including our staff.

“We can no longer have people in our department who does not need to be there.”

Five hundred patients have been well enough to go home from Hull’s hospitals after contracting Covid-19.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust discharged its 500^th patient this week after confirming the first two cases of the virus in Britain in January.

Father of two Glynn Cooney, 44, was one of the 500 well enough to go home to Sproatley with wife Dianne, daughter Ellie-Jean, 15, and son Samuel, 16, after he was rushed to Hull Royal’s Emergency Department on March 30.

Doctors feared he might not pull through as he was transferred to Intensive Care and put in a coma while critical care staff worked round the clock to save his life.

Now, after learning to walk again with the support of staff on Ward 9, the Complex Rehabilitation Unit at Castle Hill Hospital, Glynn has been presented with a bell engraved with “I survived Covid 19” by Ward 9 Sister Lisa Cunningham as he left hospital last week to join the family he hasn’t been able to see for almost three months.

Lisa said: “We are so pleased Glynn can go home to his family again. He’s been through so much and it’s fantastic to see him back on his feet.

“I bought him the bell and had it engraved so he could ring it as he left the ward. He’s been through so much and has done so well.”

Chief Operating Officer Teresa Cope also paid tribute to the trust’s workforce who had contributed to the recovery of hundreds of people.

She said: “Thanks to the hard work, care and compassion of our staff, we have been able to discharge almost 500 patients diagnosed with Covid-19 from our hospitals and we wish those people well as they continue their recovery.

“We would also like to use this opportunity to appeal to the public to continue the social distancing measures which have enabled our organisation to care for those people who need us most.

“Only by following the guidelines, with every one of us playing our part, will we stand a chance of reducing the spread of the virus and saving further lives.”

Glynn was seriously ill when he was brought to the Emergency Department on March 30. Tests confirmed he had the virus.

He was admitted to the area of Hull Royal designated to care for patients with the virus but had to be moved to the Infectious Diseases Unit at Castle Hill Hospital three days later when his condition deteriorated further.

His condition continued to worsen and he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit at Castle Hill and was placed in an induced coma.

But he pulled through and,  five weeks later, he was well enough to be moved back to the Infectious Diseases Unit.

However, after so much time in hospital, his muscles were severely weakened so he was moved to Ward 9 to work with the rehabilitation team including nursing staff, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, to rebuild his strength and learn to walk again.

Lisa said: “We’d like to wish Glynn and his family all the best for the future and we wish him well in his continued recovery.

“Covid-19 is a dreadful disease but Glynn shows there can be a happy ending.”

Teresa Cope, Chief Operating Officer for Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust says:

“We have now reached the terrible point of recording the deaths of 200 patients from Covid-19 in our hospitals.

“This is not just a headline figure to anyone at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (HUTH). Each and every one of those deaths represents a family devastated by the loss of their loved one, people whose lives will never be the same again.

“We extend our heartfelt sympathies to those suffering the consequences of this dreadful disease. To those families, we say you and your loved ones remain in our thoughts.

“At this point, I would also like to pay tribute to our own staff who have worked so hard since we received the UK’s first confirmed cases of Covid-19 in January. We are so grateful to each and every member of our team who continue to work night and day to provide the best possible care for our patients throughout the pandemic.”

Although the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection at our Trust was underway in March 2020, it was never completed as all inspections were suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore our overall rating and those of the five key domains has remained the same as in 2017.

This means that 39 of the 47 areas inspected at Hull Royal Infirmary were rated as Good, and 8 were Requires Improvement, while 27 out of the 29 areas inspected at Castle Hill Hospital were rated as Good and two were Requires Improvement. Furthermore, at Castle Hill Hospital all five key domains were rated as Good.

We were very pleased to note that inspectors found the compassion and care provided in neurosurgery to be outstanding, particularly with regard to minimising distress for patients, families and carers. In addition end of life care at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill hospital was also identified as outstanding by the inspection team with special reference to the support offered to patients, families and carers by the organ donation specialist nurses.

We have responded to the CQC regarding areas for improvement and we are confident that we have addressed most of the issues that our inspectors highlighted. We have robust plans in place to deliver the remaining improvements identified in the report, and we hope that we can have a full and thorough inspection when the CQC are able to return.

Over recent months, the COVID19 pandemic has led to difficulty, heartache and worry for millions of people across the UK. But imagine being diagnosed with cancer at the same time, or undergoing cancer treatment knowing you are much more susceptible should you catch this potentially fatal disease.

Thankfully, the staff and patients at the Queen’s Centre, Castle Hill Hospital, have a team of supporters looking out for them before, during and after the pandemic.

DanKitching35 Foundation chairperson, Kimberley Kitching, brings another delivery to Castle Hill

The DanKitching35 Foundation has been providing local cancer patients with activities, days out, equipment and more for almost three years now.

The charity was set up in 2017 in memory of dad-of-three, Danny Kitching, who died from an aggressive form of bowel cancer aged just 35.

In recent months, the charity and its supporters have served as a lifeline for patients spending time on oncology wards during the COVID19 pandemic. Having previously supplied TVs and personal computers for patient use, these items really came into their own as visiting restrictions tightened and keeping in touch with loved ones became increasingly important.

But a good cuppa can also be worth its weight in gold, so the charity has continued to supply wards 30, 31, 32 and 33, plus the outpatients and radiotherapy departments, with tea, coffee and biscuits throughout the pandemic too.

More refreshments for patients and staff at the Queen’s Centre

And not wishing to forget the hospital’s hardworking staff, the foundation has also provided refreshments, treats and essentials for those putting themselves at risk to deliver life-saving care and treatment in the trust’s specialist oncology centre.

Bryan Birch, Danny’s father-in-law and Trustee of the DanKitching35 Foundation says:

“Chemotherapy treatment in particular can be gruelling, leaving people feeling really low, tired and unwell. While Danny was receiving his treatment, we saw just how important it was for him to have things to look forward to between cycles of treatment, and to keep himself occupied when he had to spend time on a ward.

“Since Danny tragically passed away, thanks to the support and generosity of our sponsors and fundraisers, we’ve been able to provide items and experiences great and small to improve the lives of cancer patients and those caring for them.

“We’ve paid for short breaks for cancer patients and their families, events, days out, and personal computers which patients can use on the wards to stay in touch with loved ones.

“We’ve provided hundreds of dressing gowns and personal care packs for patients admitted in an emergency or without provisions, and then we’ve also supplied the more routine or daily comforts such as refreshments, tea and biscuits for staff and patients across the wards, outpatients and radiotherapy departments.

Portable laptops, courtesy of the DanKitching35 Foundation

“Supporting cancer patients, their families and staff is our way of acknowledging the outstanding care shown to Danny and of keeping our memories of this wonderful and deeply caring man alive.”

Angie Barstow, Junior Sister on Ward 32 at the Queen’s Centre says:

“The DanKitching35 Foundation has been a great support to the Queen’s Centre in recent years, and we’ve seen first-hand the positive impact their donations have had and the benefits they’ve brought to our patients and their families.

“The past few months have been particularly difficult for us all; coronavirus has placed a significant additional strain on our hospitals and for cancer patients in particular, who are more vulnerable to the disease, it’s been a time of great concern.

“But the DanKitching35 Foundation has been a shining light for us throughout, and thanks to carefully managed and safe deliveries, coronavirus hasn’t stopped the group from ensuring our hospital patients can still access the comforts and refreshments they’ve come to appreciate.

“On behalf of all the oncology centre staff and patients, we’d like to thank the DanKitching35 Foundation for their ongoing support.”

For more details about the work of the DanKitching35 Foundation, visit www.dankitching35foundation.org.uk  or email dankitching35foundation@gmail.com

Top photo: Ward 32 staff (L-R) Caroline Kennedy, Kayleigh Bartle, Angie Barstow, Lucy Rudd and Cathy Sharp with some of the personal care packs given out.