After a spell in hospital, PETER BARRON pays tribute to the dedication of the multinational staff keeping the NHS going – at a time when racist thugs have rioted across the country LIKE millions of others, I stood on the doorstep, banging a saucepan and clapping to show my appreciation of NHS workers during the Covid crisis. But it takes a period in hospital to fully appreciate the reality of what they do – often in the face of appalling abuse, threats, and violence. Without going into unnecessary medical detail, I spent three days and two nights being treated on a ward at Darlington Memorial Hospital last week, and the experience was both shocking and inspirational.
(Image: Stuart Boulton) It’s no secret that the NHS is struggling to cope under the immense strain of a growing population, and I know not everyone has a positive story to tell. But, in my case, I was treated with great care and efficiency after making a 111 call from home and having a hospital appointment arranged swiftly. In the room I was taken to, on Ward 43, the nursing staff were caring for six patients, including a man with clear mental health issues.
Severely disturbed, he hardly stopped crying out, despite the best efforts of the nursing staff to keep him calm at all hours of day and night. As they tried to keep him under control, and administer his treatment, I watched in admiration as the nursing team displayed incredible care, tolerance, and courage. Yes, courage really was a key requirement bec.