PATIENTS asked to show compassion as NHS staff under pressure to deliver Booster programme

Cllr John Spence calls for Essex residents to ‘be kind and understanding’ to NHS staff and volunteers who are under extreme pressure.

Essex residents are being asked to show compassion to NHS staff and volunteers who are under intense pressure as they deliver the Covid-19 and flu vaccination programme on top of routine appointments.

In a recent meeting, representatives from local authorities and the health sector heard that GPs, acute hospital and social care staff are concerned by the level of attack they are coming under because of delays to some appointments and treatments.

Cllr John Spence, who is responsible for Health and Adult Social Care at Essex County Council as well as Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board has called on his colleagues and peers across the public sector to come together in an ask to ‘be kind.’

He said: “All of us are frustrated and worn down after two years of Covid. We recognise the anxieties and feel them ourselves.

“But we are all on the same side and we need to respect those helping us at this time and continue to be strong and united.”

The whole of the NHS is experiencing enormous pressure with more appointments being delivered now than pre-pandemic.

With the upscaling of the Covid-19 vaccination and booster programme workload pressures are intense with NHS across Essex saying many staff are feeling exhausted.

Local GP practice teams continue to work to meet these challenging demands within an environment where they are receiving worrying levels of abuse.

ECC has received concerns from some patients about not being able to meet their GP face to face. The Mid and South Essex Health and Care Partnership has produced some advice for Essex residents which includes alternative ways of speaking to a health professional during the pandemic.