TO EVERYONE WHO NEEDS TO ATTEND ONE OF OUR HOSPITALS OR CLINICS, THIS LETTER FROM OUR CEO, SIR JAMES MACKEY, IS A PLEA FOR YOU TO HELP US TO PROTECT ALL OUR PATIENTS AND STAFF.

Our communities have been through a gruelling period for close to a year-and-a-half now and we have all pulled together to help each other get through what has been an extremely difficult time.

In the face of an unprecedented set of challenges in the health and care sector, we are incredibly grateful for the support we have had from you in following the rules that have helped us to keep you, other patients and our staff as safe as possible.

We have been in this situation for a long time now and many of us are tired, but we still need your help.

As you will know, all restrictions have been lifted and we fully understand how welcome it is to see life returning to normal.

However, hospitals, clinics, GP surgeries and other healthcare settings come with different challenges, not least in that there are likely to be many more vulnerable and very ill people. My ask of you is that if you attend one of our hospitals or clinics, you wear a mask, wash your hands and keep your distance.

These simple steps have and will continue to stop the spread of Covid-19. As we head into what we think is going to be a very busy winter for the NHS, these measures will also help to protect against flu, norovirus and other infections.

We want to be able to continue to carry on providing our full range of services and planned operations, in the compassionate and caring way you have come to expect from us, and the best way you can help us to do this is by following these rules.

We don't think this is an unreasonable request and any abuse to our staff will not be tolerated. Remember, they are also having to live with and cope with the challenges of Covid-19.

Our staff work incredibly hard to provide the very best care to our patients and their families. They are not just a uniform, they are people too, many of who are exhausted from their efforts during the pandemic so far, but they remain here to help you, the people we serve.

One of the key things we have learnt through this testing time is that we are stronger together, so let's keep that going and do what we all need to do to keep people safe.

Sir James Mackey,

Chief Executive,

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust