Ross McGuffie - Chief Officer, Health & Social Care NL

President Charles Keeper welcomed members to the second, face-to-face, meeting of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw, in the Bentley Hotel.

Tonight’s guest speaker was Ross McGuffie, Chief Officer, Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire, who gave his presentation over Zoom.

Ross gave a comprehensive presentation on the difficulties being experiences over the Health Service due to the Covid pandemic.

NHS Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire Council and South Lanarkshire Council are working with Lanarkshire’s Health and Social Care Partnerships to urgently address a number of critical issues to alleviate the sustained pressure. These pressures are because of 1) the need to recover and maintain health and social care services, 2) an increase in hospital admissions including Covid-19 patients, 3) a significant increase in complex cases within the system, 4) staff shortages including staff having to self-isolate, and, 5) a massive increase in people attending Emergency Departments.

Ross said that it is understood that the population are tired, and frustrated, as the pandemic continues to disrupt staffing levels and the way services are delivered. The understanding, and support, for NHS staff has been very much welcomed and he wished to thank everyone for their compassion, and help. Unfortunately, the sustained pressure being seen across our three acute hospitals is showing no signs of easing.

In fact, the pressures on hospitals are as severe as at any time in the whole pandemic. Covid numbers in hospitals continue to rise and this is an additional pressure while attempts are being made to recover services and treat patients who have planned operations. 

Pressures on hospital staff, and those in the two partnerships, are also a concern and they are struggling to cope with the sharp rise in demand. It is essential that people think about whether they really need to attend Emergency Departments which is intended for those with life-threatening injuries and Ross highlighted a number of different options, open to the public, to ensure they see the right person at the right place.

Ross then went on to reply to a number of questions from members, after which, Bill McCallum proposed the vote of thanks.

Still isolating after his recent hospitalisation, Paul Begley updated members, via Zoom, on the final pigeon race of the summer. The winners were Des Donnelly, Tom McPherson, Charles Keeper and Katrina Gibbons. The overall winner of the four race Pigeon Derby was Ian St John with John McDonald and Des Donnelly sharing second place.

It was a good night for Des Donnelly who won the weekly bonus ball, which was a three-week rollover.

Willie Talbot reported that seven local churches had agreed to support the Club's "Wrap Up" project to provide winter coats to those in need. "Wrap Up" will run during the month of October.