'I could not be more proud of Covid response by Leeds hospital teams' - Julian Hartley, chief executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Julian Hartley, chief executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, reflects on the incredible work done by his colleagues during 2020 and finds hope for the months ahead.
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There are so many things to reflect on from this year, writes Mr Hartley. Something that I know will stay with me is the togetherness and resilience of our communities.

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From our staff in NHS and social care services to our neighbours and friends; the charities and businesses pulling together to provide food and supplies; the many thousands of volunteers who stepped forward to assist the vulnerable; and the fundraisers like Captain Sir Tom Moore who became a beacon of hope for our nation.

Leeds hospital staff have demonstrated responsiveness, collaboration and compassion during the crisis, says chief executive Julian Hartley. Picture: James HardistyLeeds hospital staff have demonstrated responsiveness, collaboration and compassion during the crisis, says chief executive Julian Hartley. Picture: James Hardisty
Leeds hospital staff have demonstrated responsiveness, collaboration and compassion during the crisis, says chief executive Julian Hartley. Picture: James Hardisty
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When times were at their toughest, the British people – and especially the people of Leeds – were at their best.

As the pandemic quickly took hold, our staff stepped up to the immense challenge we faced to repurpose our hospitals to care for Covid-19 patients.

The circumstances meant that we, along with the rest of the NHS, had to postpone large amounts of hospital treatment and change services across the Trust. Hundreds of our staff undertook rapid training to care for Covid-19 patients.

In the early days when we knew little about Covid-19, many frontline staff felt fearful for themselves and their families. Despite this, they rose to the challenge across every ward and department in our hospitals.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive Julian Hartley. Picture: James HardistyLeeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive Julian Hartley. Picture: James Hardisty
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive Julian Hartley. Picture: James Hardisty
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It has been a huge team effort across our hospitals in Leeds and the wider region.

Our pathology team has had to rapidly implement a huge testing programme. Since the start of the pandemic they have processed 200,000 Covid-19 tests.

Our Estates and Facilities team worked all hours to repurpose wards, install safety measures and completely redesigning the way we clean our hospitals.

Our specialist Infection Prevention and Control team have established new protocols to protect staff and provide safe care to patients.

This piece of street art celebrating the NHS was created by Rachel List in Pontefract. Picture: Jonathan GawthorpeThis piece of street art celebrating the NHS was created by Rachel List in Pontefract. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
This piece of street art celebrating the NHS was created by Rachel List in Pontefract. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
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Our supplies team excelled and were involved at national and regional level in the supply and distribution of personal protective equipment. There are countless more examples.

At the end of March, we were asked to establish the NHS Nightingale Hospital in Harrogate. Over 27 NHS organisations came together to build the temporary facility in just three weeks.

Whilst we always hoped that the Nightingale would not be needed to treat patients with Covid-19, we are reassured that it is ready to respond if required.

From this adversity has come innovation. Our teams have been involved in research for Covid-19 treatments and vaccination and clinical teams have learnt new skills for managing patients with a new virus.

Leeds hospital staff during a Clap for Carers event earlier this year. Picture: Jonathan GawthorpeLeeds hospital staff during a Clap for Carers event earlier this year. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
Leeds hospital staff during a Clap for Carers event earlier this year. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
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Thousands of appointments have become remote and thousands of paper records have become electronic. We have learnt how to make change happen quicker than ever before.

There have been some unbearably tough times for our communities and we have tragically lost people we love, to Covid-19 and other illnesses. Many people have sadly died without family and friends by their side and I am incredibly grateful for compassion shown by our staff who have been there to comfort patients at the end of their lives.

We cannot underestimate how difficult this year has been for staff in the NHS and social care. We have lost 200 healthcare colleagues to Covid-19 across England and we will never forget the sacrifices they’ve made or the families that have been left behind.

We look to 2021 with hope on the horizon thanks to the arrival of the vaccine and it was with great joy and a sense of optimism that people in Leeds were some of the first in the world to receive the vaccine at our vaccination site at Thackray Medical Museum.

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I could not be more proud of the teams at our hospitals and the way they have responded to this pandemic and thank them for their collaboration, responsiveness and compassion.

Of course, nothing we have achieved in the last 12 months would have been possible without our NHS and social care family – GP practices, community services, social workers, charities and community groups, mental health services, emergency services and more have all worked night and day to protect, provide and care for the people of Leeds and the wider Yorkshire region.

We applaud the key workers including delivery drivers, supermarkets like Morrison’s who set up a dedicated food delivery service for our staff, local restaurants and businesses and the police, highways and other essential services who have kept our country running.

Lastly but by no means least, I want to thank the people of Leeds and Yorkshire who have shown great strength and resilience, and unity and compassion for one another throughout what has been an incredibly difficult time.

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We still have a long way to go and although we may have become tired of Covid-19, it certainly hasn’t become tired of us.

As we head into 2021, it is more important than ever that we continue to maintain the enhanced social distancing and infection prevention practices that will keep our loved ones and those that are most vulnerable in our society safe from Covid-19.

I know that with the amazing resilience, community spirit and sense of shared purpose that abounds within our great city we will begin to see brighter days in the months ahead.

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