Nuffield Health Tees Hospital has welcomed four new senior staff members who are now playing a key part in supporting the NHS during the Covid-19 outbreak.
The Stockton-based hospital is one of 30 sites available for NHS use throughout the current pandemic and along with North Tees, South Tees, Durham and Darlington NHS Trusts, are providing pre-breast cancer screening, breast cancer surgery and care for those with urgent surgical needs.
Hospital Director, Steve Sharp, Sales and Service Manager, Ross Huntley, Matron and Clinical lead Maggie Harris and Financial Manager, Clare Smith, collectively bring over 30 years of healthcare and financial expertise to the team and are now working to ensure optimal use of hospital facilities.
Harrogate-based Steve, who previously held senior roles at both Nuffield Health Leeds Hospital and Nuffield Health Exeter Hospital, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has stretched and challenged our country, so to see the effort, dedication and commitment of both Nuffield and NHS staff is truly humbling.
“As the UK’s largest healthcare charity, we are in a unique position to care for all NHS patients clinically, physically and mentally. By opening up our hospital, we can help ensure that additional beds are available elsewhere for Covid-19 patients should they be needed.
“As well as providing for those with urgent surgical needs and breast cancer surgery, we’ve recently donated equipment, including ventilators, to the University Hospital of North Tees and we’re actively looking for other ways in which we can help hospitals cope across the region.
“This is a whole team effort and I’m glad that we can play our part. I’m thankful too and proud of all the staff for their continued dedication, positive morale and willingness to adapt under such circumstances.”
As well as making all of its hospitals available to NHS trusts across England and Wales, Nuffield Health is providing free childcare to NHS and other key workers’ children via its 14 onsite nurseries.
The charity will also continue to look into ways its network of fitness and wellbeing clubs and clinics can support the NHS.
Steve Gray, Chief Executive at Nuffield Health, added: “These are unprecedented times, and as the UK’s largest healthcare charity, we have a huge role to play in our local communities including helping people stay active at home. We are evolving how we can continue to deliver our services as the country remains in lockdown and how we can offer vital support.”
Nuffield Health has made free content available online to maintain people’s health and wellbeing. This includes free workout videos, physiotherapy advice and wellbeing activities for all members of the family including children. This is available at no cost at Nuffield Health’s Building a Healthier Nation at Home hub here: www.nuffieldhealth.com/at-home.
For more information on Nuffield Health hospitals, visit www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals.