Community kindness building resilience in Highland Covid battle as fatigue amongst health staff takes its toll
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THE importance of community kindness in building resilience during the gruelling battle against coronavirus has been highlighted by a Highland doctor with patients in Ross-shire.
GP Ross Jaffrey of the Safe Hands, Saves Lives group hailed another day of good progress with more tests and a drop in the proportion testing positive.
The prospect of Scotland returning to level 2 measures in April and the shortening of the vaccination timeframe has raised spirits.
Dr Jaffrey posted: "This is going to prove a huge logistical challenge, as first doses begin to mix with second dose requirements.
"Many GP practices will be at their limit to provide this programme and to keep providing all aspects of routine care. Everyone will continue to work as hard as possible but it needs patience.
"Care priority remains with people presenting with significant illness. Hospitals are continuing to help support very sick people, Covid and non-Covid under trying circumstances. Staff fatigue is genuine and often workload appears relentless. We are starting to win this war, but it has left many casualties on the battlefield. Community kindness has helped build resilience."
Dr Jaffrey, who started the group to highlight the importance of good hand hygiene at the start of lockdown, has patients in beauly and Muir of Ord and has been involved in Covid clinics.
He added: "Some amazing stories of selfless assistance and patient recovery. This has helped us all to keep smiling in trying circumstances. Keep going and continue to follow the rules. They work."
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