Salisbury District Hospital 'braced for a tough winter'
Their CEO's written an open letter to patients and staff, as we prepare to go back into lockdown.
Last updated 4th Nov 2020
Stacey Hunter from the Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust has said the hospital is 'fully prepared' for the new lockdown and an expected increase in hospitalisations as a result of Covid-19.
She's said it's 'right we take action' to reduce the spread of the illness - appearing to back the Government's stance on the new restrictions coming into effect tomorrow (Thursday 5th November).
The letter also reassures patients that services will run as normally as possible during the second wave.
MORE DEATHS REPORTED
This letter follows news that two more patients have died at Salisbury District Hospital, having tested positive for Covid-19.
In a statement, the NHS Foundation Trust said:
"Two men, one in his seventies with pre-existing health conditions and one in his sixties, died on Monday 2nd November.
"Our thoughts and condolences are with the patients’ families and loved ones at this difficult time.”
It takes the total number of deaths at SDH, where patients have tested positive for Covid-19, to 59 since the pandemic began.
In the letter, Stacey Hunter says:
"We have learned a lot since the start of the pandemic and have used the summer to prepare further while also restarting services that were disrupted by the first wave. In the coming months we will do all we can to keep elective surgery and non-urgent services open for as long as possible and to continue cancer treatment and diagnostic procedures.
"We remain here if you need us. If you are asked to attend an appointment at the hospital, please do. The hospital's priority is always patient safety and we have put a number of measures in place to maintain a safe environment for patients and staff."
There's also praise for the staff at Salisbury District Hospital for their hard work throughout the pandemic:
"We are incredibly grateful to all the staff at the hospital who work tirelessly to provide safe and compassionate care to our patients and the continued support of our colleagues in other organisations and the local community."
Stacey also calls for the community to do their bit when it comes to halting the spread of Covid-19.
She's asked us to keep following the guidance, to 'protect ourselves, our family, our friends and our neighbours'.