Staff at Stepping Hill Hospital and community NHS services in Stockport joined in the national day of reflection on Tuesday 23rd March, a year after the lockdown was first announced in the UK. This was a chance to reflect on the lives lost and the lives changed from this time.
Staff joined in a minute’s silence at mid-day, and the hospital chaplaincy gave the opportunity to light a candle to remember those lost.
In the last year sadly over 500 people have lost their lives to COVID-19 at Stepping Hill Hospital. During the same period over 1500 seriously ill in the hospital with the infection have thankfully been helped to recover and been discharged.
Karen James, Chief Executive for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust said “Today is a day for sombre and thoughtful reflection on the many people who have tragically lost their lives in the past year, both locally in the community we serve, and in the wider sense of the nation as a whole, and indeed the whole world. We remember them and those left behind as we continue to strive to provide the best care we can for those still suffering during the pandemic.”
Nic Firth, Chief Nurse said “As we mark the anniversary of the first lockdown, we’re remembering the tremendous losses so many people have experienced during this pandemic, just as we work together to care for and support those still suffering. As well as honouring their loss, I would also like to remember the incredible efforts of our staff and volunteers in the past year; not just those who have been caring personally for those seriously ill with coronavirus, but also all of us who have adapted how we care for all our patients in the strange new times of lockdown and social distancing.”
Andrew Loughney, Medical Director said “The losses inflicted by COVID-19 have been devastating, and it is right to take time to reflect on them on this day of remembrance. Part of remembering and honouring should be continuing to help protect each other by following the right guidance of social distancing, and by getting vaccinated when it is our turn, as we look forward to the happier times we hope will be made possible by the vaccine.”