No Covid patients in intensive care at Shropshire's two main hospitals for 'first time in over a year'
There are no coronavirus patients in intensive care at Shropshire's two main hospitals for the first time in over a year, a health boss at the trust has revealed.
The number of Covid patients being treated at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital in Telford has been falling since the end of January, when it peaked at 165.
Dr Arne Rose, medical director at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, which runs the hospitals, said: "Fortunately the numbers of our Covid-19 positive patients are reducing.
"On Thursday, we were caring for 16 patients in our hospitals and that is a reduction of 32 from two weeks ago.
"As of Thursday there were no more patients in intensive care with this disease.
"This of course may change, but it's the first time in over a year now that we've had no intensive care patients with Covid-19."
He said over the last week more patients had died with coronavirus at the trust's hospitals but the numbers are falling.
"It's some relief to us but these patients we do look after are still very sick and they do need all our care and attention," said Dr Rose.
"Cases of Covid-19 will be with us for a long time to come so all the usual precautions that we take, in terms of social distancing, PPE and so on, will continue so there's no room for complacency."
Now the pressure is reducing, Dr Rose said staff are working on tackling waiting list backlogs for routine procedures and operations.
He said: "We are starting to put extra lists on in theatre to try and get into the backlog of these patients and get them their operations for which they've been waiting a long time.
"We are grateful for everyone being really patient with us and we are restoring our services."
Reflecting on the last year, as the country prepares to mark a year since Boris Johnson announced the first lockdown on March 23, Dr Rose said: "It's been like no other year that I can remember in the health service. It's been very challenging at times.
"There have been clearly some dark times when you are dealing with a new disease with lots of really sick people and with sadly a lot of deaths as well.
"This has been a huge pressure and a huge mental strain for our staff as well.
"This year has brought us all closer together.
"It's been remarkable how resilient everyone has been."
He also hailed the Covid vaccination programme as a "great success story" and encouraged everyone to get their jab when they are invited.
Health bosses have also confirmed that existing vaccination appointments for first and second jabs will continue to be honoured in Shropshire next month despite national supply issues.
