Harrogate NHS staff and patients remember a year on from first lockdown
We've been speaking to nurses and covid survivors on the anniversary of being put into a national lockdown
Last updated 23rd Mar 2021
Today marks a year since the country was put in a national lockdown as coronavirus infection rates started to increase.
Staff at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust have been looking back on the things they've achieved, how resilient they've been and all the patients they've cared for over the last 12 months.
Eve Geldart is a Senior Sister on Harrogate's Intensive Care Unit. She's been working for the NHS for years.
She said: "It's like nothing you could have ever prepared for or imagine. The volume of patients we've cared for and the severity of how sick they've been. Yes, we're very used to looking after seriously ill patients but not at that volume and one after another."
But Eve says her colleagues are always there to offer words of support.
She added: "Previously if you have a difficult situation at work you've got your coping mechanisms, debriefing and relaxing outside of work but everybody's lives have changed so those coping strategies have had to change.
"Our teamworking and our friendships have strengthened. Our friendships were amazing before anyway because we've worked together for years.
"Every time you think you've got nothing left in the tank you support each other and look after each other. Seeing our patients and the ones who have recovered get better and go home. That's why we do it. That's everything."
Laura Bayliss is also a sister on the Intensive Care Unit and has been working alongside Eve throughout the pandemic. She said: "We try and perk each other up and have that comradery and we've known each other a long time so that's really helped us all. We have some true friendships here.
"It's been challenging logistically, we've had to up our skills and think outside the box to help us deal with the next situation.
"We try and help families be as included as possible which has been difficult. They trust us to look after them at the most terrifying parts of their lives and their families trust us.
"In the middle of the man, having a young man who potentially might not make it to the morning. It's really challenging and difficult. But to see that person get better and walk out of hospital those moments make it worth while."
As of figures released by the Trust on Thursday (18 March), there are currently nine people being treated on hospital grounds with coronavirus - down from 17 the previous week.
Since the start of the pandemic, the Trust has cared for over 800 covid-19 positive patients with nearly 600 patients being discharged from hospital.
April Martin - the Mayoress of Harrogate - first came down with coronavirus in March 2020.
She spent 10 days at home:
"I was just getting worse and worse. I used to be a nurse and was determined not to go into hospital - I didn't think I was ill enough to go into hospital but with hindsight, I was. At the time, I just wanted to be left alone and to sleep."
Eventually an ambulance was called, taking the 63-year-old to Harrogate District Hospital.
She spent weeks in intensive care, recovering from covid-19.
April describes her treatment as "magnificent":
"To the hospital staff at Harrogate Hospital, thank you - they kept me going.
"The care and compassion that they showed from behind their masks and gowns was wonderful. I can't thank them enough.
"When you are in hospital and not allowed to see your family, that is so, so important - they were all there for me."
Steve Russell, Chief Executive at Harrogate and District NHS Trust, told Greatest Hits he's amazed at what the team have achieved in the last year.
He said: "Proud doesn't sort of do it. We're all completely in awe at what colleagues have done. Just massively in awe and inspired at what colleagues have done in the last year.
"The nicest thing to see is the smiles. So seeing people feeling a bit more optimistic is just the best thing."
He added how he's looking forward to seeing what the rest of the year brings.
"It'll never be the same but we're getting to how things were and that's quite important for people to feel like there is that light at the end of the tunnel and it's a bit closer than it was."