Leading doctors and nurses make joint #COVID19 call - Open Letter to all residents of #Dorset

21st October 2020

Leading doctors and nurses are making a joint appeal for help to stop the spread of COVID-19, save lives, and protect each other. 

All local medical directors and nursing directors across Dorset, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are making the call in a new open letter. The letter is also signed by the Director for Public Health.

In their joint appeal, they are asking the public to help each other by playing their part to stop the spread of the virus.

They are reminding people that you can stop the spread of coronavirus this winter by limiting the number of households you mix with and remembering to wash your hands, cover your face and make space.

Dr Forbes Watson, local Dorset GP and Chair of NHS Dorset CCG, said: “It’s very important for everyone to continue to do their bit to protect our local communities, our friends, and relatives. By working together with your help, we can help to save lives this winter. Please remember to wash your hands, cover your face, and make space.”

Dorset HealthCare Executive Medical Director Dr Faisil Sethi said: “Our NHS staff continue to work incredibly hard to support local people who need our care. This is more challenging as we move into winter and continue to tackle COVID-19. You can do your bit to help protect others around us and yourselves by following the rules – wash your hands, cover your face and keep your distance. We need to work together to help keep Dorset safe.”

Dear Dorset, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole,

We are seeing a significant rise in COVID-19 cases in our local communities.

Responding to COVID-19 and living with the challenges it has presented has been tough for very many people, including our NHS staff and care workers.

Your NHS cannot fight COVID-19 alone: we all have a part to play to stop the spread of the virus. By taking sensible steps and following the guidelines, together we can protect each other and save lives this Winter.

Cases across Dorset are mainly linked to household groups, so it is vital social distancing is maintained and we limit the number of groups we mix with. Stop the spread of coronavirus by remembering to wash your hands, cover your face and make space.

Following clinical advice and guidance is especially important if you have been identified by the NHS Test and Trace service.

If you are told to self-isolate, you must stay at home for 14 days even if you feel well. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, self-isolate immediately and only leave your home to get tested.

You may catch COVID-19 and have only mild symptoms or have no symptoms at all, but you can pass it on to someone who is more vulnerable than you and for whom COVID-19 is a very serious, life-threatening illness.

Please do your bit and remember to wash your hands frequently, wear a face covering where required and give others space.

Together we can protect our families, colleagues, and others around us.

Thank you.

Signed by:

Professor Alastair Hutchison
Medical Director, Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Nicky Lucey
Chief Nursing Officer and Director of Infection Prevention & Control, Dorset
County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Dr Forbes Watson
GP and Chair, NHS Dorset CCG

Dr Karen Kirkham
GP and Assistant Clinical Chair, NHS Dorset CCG

Vanessa Read
Director of Nursing & Quality, NHS Dorset CCG

Paula Shobbrook
Chief Nursing Officer and Director of Infection Prevention and Control, NHS University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Dr Alyson O’Donnell
Chief Medical Officer, NHS University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Dawn Dawson
Director of Nursing, Therapies and Quality, Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Dr Faisil Sethi
Medical Director, Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Sam Crowe
Director for Public Health, Dorset