Concerns NHS staff in Dorset at risk of burnout
Frontline workers are suffering from exhaustion
There are concerns exhausted medical staff on the front line in Dorset will need support to restart normal services following Covid 19.
There's a huge backlog of need and health bosses are warning the coming year is looking quite difficult.
It's feared it will be tough for staff to keep going at the rate they're working at now.
Alastair Hutchison is the Chief medical officer at Dorset County Hospital.
He said:
"The staff have really risen to the challenge in the most amazing way. Even if we know psychologically its at cost to them."
As soon as covid starts to disappear, there's a long list of people needing operations and other treatments.
Mr Hutchison said:
"There is a huge backlog of need and what we have to do then is start to tackle that. So the rest of the year from an NHS perspective and looking into near year, really looks quite difficult and I think it will be hard for staff to keep going as they are now."
Covid case rates in Dorset are continuing to decline, but we're being warned it's too early to relax.
Public Health Dorset say that while numbers are falling, they are still high and we need to continue to stick to the restrictions.
Deaths in the county have continued to rise, due to the number of patients in hospital and outbreaks in care homes.
A spokesperson for Public Health Dorset said:
"Please continue to follow the rules - it really does make a difference. We are still in a national lockdown so only leave home for essential reasons.
"With one in three people not having any symptoms, any breaking or bending of the rules could easily see a rise in cases again. You may feel fine but if you're not following the correct measures you can easily pass the virus on to someone vulnerable with serious consequences."