A doctor from Inverclyde Royal has spoken about how the hospital and its staff rose to the challenge of Covid-19.
Dr Abby Gunn is an Acute and Stroke consultant, based at the IRH and this week features on NHSGGC’s ‘Life on the frontline’ series of staff videos.
Dr Gunn normally works between the IRH and the Royal Alexandra in Paisley, but since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic she has taken on the role of clinical lead at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, helping to coordinate the strategic and clinical response as well as working on the floor to enhance staffing levels.
She said: “No matter what the daily challenges were within the hospital, the attitude of all staff was outstanding and cohesive. The different clinical teams worked together as one to serve the community and I will be forever thankful to my colleagues for their help.
“Their support at work and my husband’s support to care for our children, allowed me to commit to the site for this daunting period. Everything about our home life changed and it was very hard for my children to not be allowed to hug me as I came through the door late each day.”
Dr Gunn, who lives locally too, says she feels very proud of the role the IRH played in tackling the world-wide pandemic and how being part of a team in a close-knit community has brought out the best in people.
“The greatest challenges I saw faced our patients and their families and by default, many of my nursing colleagues as well. The bravery and courage displayed by our nursing team inside the hospital as a wall against this once in a generation pandemic, was reflected by our local population in their support for the site.
“The understanding and graciousness displayed to the site and our team by families unable to visit and sit with their loved ones was overwhelming. I found on a personal level some comfort in knowing that our compassionate team could be with the patients and try and provide the best care we possibly could during this unheralded time.”
Looking to the future, Dr Gunn remains optimistic, saying:
“We have entered a period of new challenges, how to continue high quality care in the Covid era, how to use IT facilities to reduce risk. I know that Inverclyde will rise to these. The Inverclyde motto translates as ‘We look forward to better times’ and I look forward to Inverclyde’s rise to excellence.”
Listen to Dr Gunn’s story here: www.nhsggc.org.uk/lotf/abbygunn
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