Harrogate hospital chief pays tribute to NHS heroes as year 'we will never forget' draws to a close

Steve Russell said 2020 had been an "incredibly challenging" time for nurses, doctors and other frontline workers at the hospital, and warned the risks of Covid-19 "will not simply disappear" in the New Year.

He said while the year end is a good time for optimism as the vaccine is rolled out, it was important to remember those who have led the fight against the virus and those who have lost their lives to it.

“The NHS could not have responded to the challenges we have faced without the commitment and skills of its people including the dedicated team of staff at Harrogate and District Foundation Trust," Mr Russell said.

“In every single team, in every single profession, in every single role we’ve seen the selfless, caring and determined nature of colleagues come through. It has served as a useful reminder that no matter what we are facing, it is better faced by working together, respecting the immense contribution every single colleague brings and that contribution, ability and expertise is not distinguished by ‘grade’ or ‘seniority’.

“On a personal level, I would like to thank our fantastic colleagues across the Trust who have gone above and beyond, continuing to provide care at the very highest level whilst having to adapt to new challenges and new ways of working, in ways that would test the resilience of anybody. Yet, they have continued to do so day in day out."

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Mr Russell also paid tribute to social care staff, local government workers, volunteers and community groups who have played a key role in the pandemic.

His message of thanks comes as national health officials have warned English hospitals are struggling to cope with rising covid patient numbers, although admissions have remained stable in Harrogate.

Ahead of an announcement on any changes to England's tier restrictions on Wednesday, the country has seen a record number of cases for the second day running.

Mr Russell added: “We know that the impact of the events of 2020 will not simply disappear as we move into 2021, and we will need to be mindful of that whilst welcoming the incredible speed at which vaccines have been developed. They offer a real chance to come out the other end of what has been a very long, hard pandemic and which has affected the lives of so many people. But, we must also remember all those that lost their lives, and the heartache that has been caused.

“So, we must continue, together, to take the actions each of us can to minimise the spread of the virus, and to be kind and compassionate in everything we do.

"Nobody has been spared the impact of the pandemic, and we share a collective responsibility to recover together as we move into 2021 and beyond."

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter