NHS teams who manned the front door of one of Scotland’s busiest hospitals throughout the coronavirus pandemic have had their names inscribed in stars to mark their incredible contribution.
Each of the 650 stars on the walls of the Emergency Department / Acute Assessment Unit at Glasgow Royal Infirmary recognise an individual or team who contributed to patient care during one of the greatest challenges ever faced by the NHS.
Interim Lead Nurse, Ashleigh Irons, said that as well as the ED/AAU teams stepping up, teams from across other parts of the service also came to bolster the team, as special COVID19 pathways were established while other parts of the NHS reduced face-to-face services.
Ashleigh said: “We have stars on the wall to recognise the exceptional contribution of all staff who worked at the GRI’s Emergency Care Complex throughout the COVID19 pandemic.
“It really did show incredible collaborative working across the GRI site and from colleagues who came from other sites, such as Stobhill to deliver emergency care for patients with COVID19 and others who required other emergency treatment.
“The contribution of everyone has been nothing short of outstanding and it’s right that we recognise them.”
The wall of stars was officially opened by team members Kevin Ray, a porter within the ED, and Suzanne Cummings, a senior charge nurse in the Acute Assessment Unit currently known as SATA and has been throughout the COVID19 pandemic.
Kevin said: “Everybody in the team are stars and it’s great to see all the work that people put in being recognised. It hasn’t been the easiest time for anyone, but it was when we faced our biggest test that everyone pulled together for the sake of patients and each other.”
Suzanne Cummings said: “I’m incredibly proud to be a part of this team and what we faced during the pandemic is something none of us will forget. What we had then, and what we have now is each other, all working hard to deliver the very best in patient care.”
Teams that are recognised include nurses, doctors, domestics, healthcare support workers, facilities teams, site flow and clinical co-ordinators, theatre nurses, clinic teams, clerical and reception teams, radiology and management teams, among many others. The wall also pays tribute to colleagues from Scottish Ambulance Service.
Ashleigh added: “The support that we had was phenomenal. Some of the people coming to help were not used to working in an emergency care environment and none of us knew what to expect with COVID19 – so it was just amazing.”
Neil McCallum, Director, north sector at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “We were faced with a challenge like no other, but our teams reacted by supporting each other to deliver the very best in patient care. I’m incredibly proud of what they have achieved – and continue to deliver – at what remains an incredibly challenging time.”
Ashleigh added that while significant pressures remain, patients should still only seek emergency care when it’s appropriate. However, she concluded: “While a lot of the world was closing down, our front door and hospital never closed and it never will close, because of each and every one of our NHS stars.” The project was commissioned by the Lead Nurse and Lead Senior Charge Nurses, Ashleigh Irons, Debbie McCoach, and Pamela Cheung to permanently recognise their teams and others who contributed.
