Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospital Trust’s Chief Medical Officer Magda Smith has stressed that both Queen’s and King George’s hospitals are safer to attend than Tesco. In an exclusive interview with the Havering Daily, the Chief Medical Officer is reassuring the community that our local hospitals have very strict methods in place to keep people safe.
“There are many different reasons why people come to our hospitals, some are for emergency reasons, others are due to planned appointments or operations, both pathways are safe.
“If you are coming for a planned operation or a diagnostic Test, we are running a Covid risk management which I can assure people is safer coming here than going to Tesco.We have strict screening for everyone who comes here, so I really want to reassure people that it is absolutely fine.
“There are high prevalence areas across Havering which sadly isn’t shifting at the moment. When people come to the hospital in an ambulance, they are taken to a different part of the hospital where they are checked for Covid. If they don’t have Covid, then they are taken to another part of the hospital.
“We have barriers throughout with plastic curtains to keep people apart. We swab everyone on admission, then three days later, then five days later. I can’t tell you that there is no chance of getting Covid, but I can tell you we have reduced it to the minimum.”
The Chief Medical Officer went on to tell us that there are currently 260 people in our local hospitals with Covid.
“We have Covid cohorts that are isolated areas. There are a tiny number of children with Covid, the majority are older people. The over 60’s are at the highest risk rate.
“Our Intensive Care Consultants have seen more people recovering this time round. We have been using a steroid called Dexamethasone, that after using it the chances of getting better are improved.”
Magda was keen to stress that if you do need to come to the hospital for planned appointments then please don’t worry.
“It is important for people to know that if they are not well to please call 111 to get advice. If they have chest pains, please call 111 or 999. The risk of you being unwell is higher not coming to the hospital than coming to the hospital.”
The Chief Medical Officer also pleaded with the community to please follow the rules.
“There are high prevalence areas in this borough. Please help us fight this by doing the right thing and remember the three key things, ‘Face, hands and space’.
Staff at the hospital are also pleased at the introduction of the new Covid vaccine.
Magda finished by saying, “We are excited about the vaccine and gearing ourselves up to help give it out.”
Please listen to Magda’s words and help our NHS staff by doing your part and remembering to social distance, wash your hands and wear a mask if you are not exempt.