THE team providing health services in the community of Warrington say they have been overwhelmed by support from the public.

And they are now planning for the ‘new normal’ of life in a Covid-19 world.

Strengthening priority services, adopting new ways of working and redeploying staff have been the key areas of focus for Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Ensuring the most poorly and vulnerable patients continue to receive the care they need in their homes and supporting nursing and residential homes have been at the heart of the approach.

For children, young people and families staff have ensured safe delivery of essential services and safeguarding support.

The next steps will be to reintroduce more services providing care and support. Protecting staff, providing them with the tools and equipment to deliver safe and effective care, has been a priority.

Bridgewater’s chief executive Colin Scales said: “We have received compliments from our patients, their families and our partners and been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of our communities.

“Our staff have been clapped in the streets, people have made scrubs, visors, wash bags, multi-national companies have delivered drinks, hand creams, chocolates and businesses have sent in breakfasts and lunches.

“As we move to the new normal we are looking at how we can reintroduce more services safely so that our communities receive more of the care they need.

“We are keen to embrace the technology that allows our clinicians to assess their patients via video where appropriate, but will continue to call at people’s homes, ring to check on their health and wellbeing and support them with the kindness, compassion and professionalism which has shone through these difficult times.”

Staff have provided support to the integrated hospital discharge team, helping to ensure that patients are discharged in a timely way and receive the community care they need.

Bridgewater’s community equipment store, which provides essential aids and adaptations to some of the most vulnerable, ramped up operations to support this activity.

Praise for their ‘professionalism, kindness and compassion’ has come from patients, carers and families, council colleagues and Bridgewater staff.

The district nursing service has continued to deliver round the clock essential care in patients’ homes, nursing and residential homes, strengthened by the skills and knowledge of redeployed colleagues from across Bridgewater.

Our Widnes Urgent Care Centre has continued to provide care throughout the pandemic for those with minor illness and injuries - introducing new processes to support the safety of patients and staff.