Boss thanks staff on two year anniversary of first Covid patient at Croydon hospital

By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter

This week marks two years since Croydon University Hospital identified its first Covid-19 patient.

The hospital in London Road recorded its first death from the virus just a week later on March 17.

The hospital’s boss, Matthew Kershaw, has reflected on those two tough years and admitted it was something he never thought he would experience.

He updated Croydon councillors at a meeting on Tuesday, March 8.

Hospital staff have cared for more than 4,500 coronavirus patients with more than 750 losing their lives.

Across Croydon there have been a total of 1,180 Covid-19 deaths recorded since the start of the pandemic.

As of Tuesday, the hospital is still treating 118 Covid-19 patients, with three of them seriously ill and on ventilation.

Mr Kershaw said the hospital had one of the highest bed occupancy rates for Covid-19 patients in South West London.

He said: “It has been a very challenging and unprecedented period.

“Our condolences are with all those who have been adversely affected by Covid-19 and a massive thank you to the staff right across health and care who have done an amazing job over the past two years – something I didn’t think I would ever experience in my career.

“Over the past two years remarkable things have been done but it has not gone away so we have to maintain our vigilance within health and care and I would encourage members of the population to do [the same] because this is still a condition that can be very dangerous.”

Mr Kershaw became chief executive of Croydon Health Services Trust at the end of 2018 and has more than 25 years experience in the NHS.

At the scrutiny health and social care sub-committee, Croydon council’s director of public health, Rachel Flowers, advised still wearing face coverings in crowded places.

She said: “If you’re feeling unwell please stay at home, follow the public health guidance on self isolation if you test positive for Covid-19.”

Committee chair Councillor Sean Fitzsimons said he wanted to recognise the hard work of health workers. He said: “It’s been a tough two years, none of us expected this.

“Clearly there is the impact on families and friends [of those who died] but there is also the impact on people in the health service and care homes who have had to deal with these pressures.

“We are living with Covid-19 but we should also recognise the hard work and dedication of the people involved.”