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Thank You - Clinical Engineering

04/08/2020
This article is more than three years old.

Right from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was clear that the availability of suitable equipment was going to be a key factor in delivering the very best care to our patients in hospital.

A bed in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) needs highly specialised equipment, which needs to be continually changed and modified as the situation changes. The team responsible for this is our Clinical Engineering team. 

Our Clinical Engineering (formerly DMEED) team takes care of 50,000 pieces of medical equipment in our Trust - worth £175 million.

Their 30 Engineers, Clinical Scientists and Technologists, Administrators and Managers have been on hand to ensure that all this equipment was safe, working and available to our wards and departments throughout this challenging time.

Like many of our teams, they adapted to new ways of working, supporting Critical Care with an on-call service, as well as working over weekends and Bank Holidays to set up and deploy equipment and commission loan ventilators. 

In one weekend the team set up a 13-bed ICU from scratch.

At the same time, the Oxford Vaccine Trial urgently needed patient monitors before the trial could begin. The team identified, set up and delivered these within 48 hours, getting the trial off to a flying start.

All this, as well as supporting  Procurement with regulatory advice for PPE, and supplying regular and accurate data about our equipment levels for the Chief Medical Officer to send back to NHS England and Improvement.

The experience has brought the team closer together, and although there have been difficult times, the commitment of all members has enabled them to rise to the challenge - every member of the team should be proud of their contribution.

Dr David Garry, Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine and Anaesthetics and ICU Clinical Lead, says:

"On behalf of the Critical Care team here at OUH I would like to formally thank you for all the incredible help and support we received from you and your team.

"These last few months challenged the OUH, and indeed the whole NHS in a way that it has never been challenged before...

"Our ICU survival figures are higher compared to both national and international data. I have no doubt that the immense contribution of your team has contributed to this success, and for this you have my utmost thanks and gratitude."

Maria Moore, Senior Research Nurse, Oxford Vaccine Group, says:

"I just wanted to say how much I appreciate the work you and your team have put into supporting the Oxford Vaccine Trial. I have been blown away by people's willingness to help and generosity with time and resources.

"It is very much appreciated and highlights the national and global reach of this study; thank you."

Malcolm Sperrin, Head of Department and Chair of the Regional Clinical Engineering Network, says:

"James Nasrat's team of Clinical Engineers has performed at the highest level and their contribution has included expertise of national consequence.

"James is now a formal member of the Regional Network and his experience in managing complex services during the COVID phase is well recognised... His team is a credit to the Trust and his profession."

Professor Meghana Pandit, OUH Chief Medical Officer, says:

"The Clinical Engineering team worked tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that OUH had sufficient medical equipment such as ventilators, NIV machines, syringe pumps etc.

"The team was always approachable, provided daily information and collaborated with other organisations on a regular basis.

"This effort on part of the Clinical Engineering team provided assurance to me as the Chief Medical Officer and I am very grateful to them. They are a fantastic team and an asset to the OUH."