Supporting our brave nurses & doctors saving lives

My good friend Elaine wrote me this email.

Here's our story.......

I'm the matron of the biggest intensive care units (ICU) in London  - 44 beds and I have the true honour of being the matron for large team of over 250 nurses and another 100 doctors and physios.

As you know the world is facing it's most terrifying challenge with COVID-19 and for the NHS we are going to be pushed like never before both personally and professionally. This week I expanded my ICU by a further 55 beds, by literally closing down operating theatres to look after the hundreds of patients who will require ICU. Sadly, this might not even be enough and we will be making some very tough decisions meaning a very high moral burden like never before. ICU patients normally have 1:1 nursing, this is vey likely going to change to 1:3 an so we'll do our best to give the best care possible, but it's going to hurt like hell that we won't always be able to give the care we aspire to. This for me is heart-breaking! The best way I can describe this is like waiting for a war to happen and the fear of the unknown is terrifying.

My team would like to be the people that can stay at home and look after their children, but we can't and I have hardly seen my husband and daughter this week. I'm not alone in this and the guilt is heavy because I can't be in 2 places at once. Our selfless NHS staff  are working tirelessly at a very personal cost without question.


So, why am I writing to companies? I know that deliveries of drinks, food and even hand cream for sore hands will really help our staff know that the public appreciate the personal sacrifices they are making. Some of our staff can't even access food because the shelves are empty  - I've had 2 staff cry this week because they can't access any protein even after searching 5 supermarkets after a long shift

Anything you can do for my team in the coming weeks would be so appreciated.

Thank you for ready, stay safe