A message from Dr Kathy Ryan – BrisDoc Medical Director

The Covid weeks roll on and the headlines remain dark on the whole, though sometimes backlit by stories of humanity and kindness. It is strange (or is it?) that the battle against this grim reaper of a virus is leading to a sense of community and togetherness which was fainter before. Not to mention clearer skies and cleaner air.

As most people know, I am attached to English literature and like to sprinkle my on-shift messages and emails with quotes. Today’s is from an American writer, Mary Roach:

“Heroism doesn’t always happen in a burst of glory. Sometimes small triumphs and large hearts change the course of history.”
The book is called, “Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War”. It is a non-fiction exploration of aspects of military life away from the battlefield.

So today I would like to commend and celebrate our BrisDoc “small triumphs and large hearts”. There are many people in our workforce who are not waving swords and shields in frontline clinical care, but whose shoulders-to-the-wheel and mutual care are just as critical in keeping our shows on the road. For example, those who ensure our rotas are filled (sweet-talking grumpy clinicians in the process); those who ensure our drug and equipment stocks are up to date (wading through mammoth spreadsheets); those who greet patients and relatives at our doors and those who ring to comfort-call them (and often get the rough end of any frustrations in the process); those who make sure summarising and coding of records are accurate and up to date (these unglamorous things matter to good patient care); those who ensure we all get paid (which matters to us all); and many more.

I offer a recognition of the investment and contribution of all. Please know every effort, every word of kindness and support, and each and every “small triumph” are highly valued.

Thank-you for continuing to observe the stringent – and, at times, difficult – lockdown and government guidance on social distancing. I look forward, one day, to the course of history changing and to searching for quotes on relief, release, victory and recovery.

Good wishes,

Kathy