'We are ready': Consultant explains how Leeds hospitals preparing for wave of coronavirus cases

Consultant neurosurgeon John Goodden has praised the "phenomenal” response by NHS staff in Leeds as the city's hospitals prepare to deal with an influx of coronavirus cases.

Mr Goodden, 46, said the fact that Leeds is a couple of weeks behind London in terms of infection rates means there has been more time to prepare and get personal protective equipment stocks in place and create temporary intensive care units.

Father-of-two Mr Goodden, who works for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and performs operations on children and adults with brain tumours, spoke to the YEP as part of our series of stories on #Health heroes campaign.

The YEP is celebrating health workers across Leeds, who are the very front line of keeping our nation safe during this uncertain time.

Mr Goodden said: "We are ready physically but being ready mentally is another question. Until you have the high numbers that we expect to have you don't really know how you are going to react in that situation until you are there. You can try and prepare but until you are faced with that situation you don't know how you are really going to respond.

"We know it's coming and we know we are being asked to mount a huge response to look after these people that are coming in and that's what we have trained for and that's what we are here for.

"We know it's going to be difficult and that's why we look after each other and ask each other 'how are you?' in a meaningful way, because you know it's going to be difficult.

Mr Goodden said all operations except urgent life saving surgery have been postponed and the main operating theatres at Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s Hospital have been transformed into temporary intensive care units for Covid-19 patients.

Mr Goodden, who is the clinical lead for the children's neurosciences team, said: "It is absolutely unprecedented and it is a phenomenal response."

Mr Goodden said staff health are well-prepared, but apprehensive.

He said "When you are there the focus is on doing the right thing for the patients you are looking after. That's our job, that's what we are here for.

"There is a natural apprehension about what it's going to mean for your own health because you don't know.

"You are careful to take the right precautions. We do have plenty of personal protective equipment available."

Mr Goodden said morale in the NHS is "generally good", addIng: "There is a lot of uncertainty about the risks, pressures and what this is all going to mean for us all.

"There is a lot of change to our regular routines as well. However everyone knows that we are all in this together and everyone is pulling together to help each other.

"The scale of this is huge and difficult to really comprehend. The bottom line about this pandemic is that it is really very, very serious and lots of people are going to die from this virus.

"We can all make a difference both in the NHS and outside the NHS. Social Isolation and stopping unnecessary travel is so important, that I cannot emphasise enough the message of #StayAtHomeSaveLives."

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