Croydon’s NHS offers unprecedented insight into its COVID-19 response in poignant new film
A year on since its first patient walked out of intensive care after surviving COVID-19, Croydon Health Services NHS Trust tells the real story of how 4,000 of its NHS staff took on the greatest health challenge in a generation.
‘Our COVID story’, a 15-minute feature film that will be broadcast live on social media tonight (Tuesday 20 April), takes an unprecedented look at the Trust’s response to the virus, the impact it has on staff and the lasting legacy of Team Croydon as they worked to save lives and care for people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Elaine Clancy, Chief Nurse at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, said:
“Croydon was one of London’s hardest-hit boroughs in the pandemic. Our teams have faced unimaginable odds, but throughout all they have shown unbreakable dedication, compassion and bravery to care for our community when they needed us the most.
“This film tells the story of not only the heroic effort of our NHS staff, but the toll this has taken on us all as professionals and as people as we experienced the triumph of seeing our patients go home to their families alongside the tragic loss of so many lives, including one of our own.
“It’s a real privilege to work alongside our amazing teams here in Croydon – they truly are some of the best the NHS has to offer.”
Viewers will hear from staff across the Trust, from senior leaders and clinicians, through to vital support services, as they share their experiences from the frontline, their hopes for a brighter future and their pride in being a part of Team Croydon during a year like no other.
Matthew Kershaw, the Trust’s Chief Executive and Croydon’s Place Based Leader for Health, added:
“We hope that this film allows people to develop a deeper understanding of the pressure that the NHS has faced over the past 12 months and the ability of the health service to adapt and save lives, despite the insurmountable challenges.
“From delivering care to over three thousand patients with the virus in the hospital and many others in the community, to safely restarting non-COVID care and becoming one of the first Trust’s in the world to roll out the COVID-19 vaccine, this is our COVID-19 story. And it shows why we are proud of every key worker and volunteer in Croydon who have come together to look after our community in the most challenging of years.”
‘Our COVID story’ will be broadcast on Facebook Premiere, Youtube Premiere and Instagram TV at 7pm on Tuesday 20 April.
Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg10gHKDHOE