Letter from Dr Chris Clayton – Executive Lead of Joined Up Care Derbyshire.
As we reach the one year milestone of the Covid -19 response in Derbyshire it is important that we reflect on all aspects of the response so far, including the successes in addition to the challenges and personal tragedies that it has brought.
Since the earliest days of the pandemic I have been aware of the work done by people who have offered their time and skills on a voluntary basis to support neighbours, vulnerable people and our health and care services. Without this willingness at the heart of the system the pandemic response in Derbyshire, we would not have reached so many people, or achieved the level of success that it has.
I am writing this letter to all volunteers and community responders; to those who came forward as part of a spontaneous outpouring of community goodwill, those who have responded to the call-out for support from health and care services and those coming forward through local voluntary sector organisations.
I would like to acknowledge your achievements and to offer a personal thank you for the support you have given to health and care services in the Derbyshire system during a year that has seen our greatest challenges since the NHS was founded.
Looking back on these times, our residents will remember the volunteers and responders who brought food and prescriptions to their doorstep when they had no way to collect these themselves; the volunteers who put them at ease when they came nervously into a vaccination centre; those who helped them at the food bank and those who gave a few minutes of their time to give them a call and make sure they were OK.
The work that you have done has been of great value I am sure to the people of Derbyshire and that this continues without wavering a whole year in, is down to your dedication and determination.
Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do.
Yours faithfully, Dr Chris Clayton (MA MB BChir DRCOG PGCGPE MRCGP)
Executive Lead
