NHS Staff at St Mary's Hospital are being supported and thanked for their work during the pandemic - as part of a new initiative.
Support the Frontline is the brainchild of Island residents Andrew Palmer and former High Sheriff and founder of Isle of Wight Day, Robin Courage.
They realised that staff at the Island’s only hospital needed practical and moral support whilst chatting to a doctor about his experiences during the
pandemic.
Modelled on a successful initiative in London, they have been working with the hospital and local businesses getting ready to deliver a freshly cooked, nutritious meal to NHS staff at the end of their long 12-hour shifts.
The meals will be prepared and packed by local chefs and handed out by volunteers from a refrigerated trailer loaned by Vectis Refrigeration, ready to reheat in an oven or microwave.
While there is good news about vaccinations and falling infection rates, this crisis is definitively not over for those working on the frontline. They have been working flat out for months, with more hospital admissions and sadly, Covid deaths, to come.
And, when the pandemic is finally over, they will face a new set of problems. Unprecedented waiting lists and the impact of untreated conditions
will continue to put them under pressure as they return to their usual roles, with no prospect of a holiday or break any time soon.
Andrew said:
“Support the Frontline is not simply about providing a delicious meal to hard-pressed NHS staff, it’s also a heartfelt sign of support and thanks from the Island community. Every single Islander has been affected by the pandemic, for many of us it has meant self-isolation at home, but
for hospital staff it has been the hardest time of their working lives.
“We have been amazed by the response to the idea. People really want to say ‘thank you’ to those who have worked so hard over the last year, looking after us, our friends and loved ones."
Robin added:
“Every single person we have approached has reacted positively, and things are now in place to start handing out meals this evening.
“This is a real local initiative. St Mary’s staff have given unstinting support to our community, now it’s time for us to show how much we appreciate them. After all, It is in all our interests to do everything we can to support the people and hospital on which we all rely."
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