How do we support NHS workers?

[GabrielleChanel]

I live in a village and have reached out to the old and vulnerable but NHS workers will be up against it
how can we help them?

It's difficult isn't it. I anticipate that hospital and community hospitals will need a lot more support on the way of volunteers because staff have been moved to work in other areas so things like doing a tea round, helping with meals , ensuring people get fed etc. The problem is that people do need some level of training and dbs checks ( unless things can be relaxed - unlikely) and also people are going to be scared of going into places where CV is harbouring. The most vulnerable also will be places like care homes where staffing already very poor. I work within an NHS setting but in a non essential role and hoping we will be pulled out soon and work from the office instead.

By being patient I suppose. Routine work is going to tail off and will stop for a while. This means more queuing and waiting on the end of phone lines. If you have an appointment and don't want to attend please cancel it. If you have a cough or temperature or shortness of breath do not attend any appointments and cancel. Please don't pop to the surgery for information or to queue for an appointment. It is really important that all nhs staff are protected as well as possible so that the service can continue.
There are lots of stories of shortages of PPE and hand sanitisers; please don't buy more than you need.
Everyone is feeling anxious because of uncertainty but there are good on line resources so keep up to date that way and follow instructions. No one is being tested in the community now so there is no point in stressing about getting tested. I can see sense in Ill hcps being tested if the turn around time is reduced but if it is 4/5 days as it is now and recommendation is to stay off work for a week then I don't think it will help.
Public health england are giving lots of advice but logistics are and will be the issue.
Lie low if you are at particular risk .

i wonder if you can donate hand sanitizer? might be worth phoning and asking. people are taking it from hospitals and its becoming hard to get a hold of, but you can get some here. i know a hospital in Hull (i think) was asking people to donate some