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Uncertainty around how Covid-19 will mix with the usual winter pressures faced by the NHS means it is more vital than ever for people to "stick with us", a hospital boss has warned.
The man in charge of the trust which runs Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham said it is impossible to predict how coronavirus and the increased demand on health services in the winter months will combine.
James Devine revealed the organisation has been learning from experiences during the first wave of Covid earlier this year and has come up with a detailed plan to alleviate problems the system in Medway and Swale could face.
But he said the health service is relying on people to follow the messages to avoid non-urgent visits and admissions to hospital in the coming months.
Mr Devine, chief executive of the Medway NHS Foundation Trust, says the best way for people to stay well this winter and reduce the impact on hospitals, GPs and other health services is to follow its simple messages about staying healthy.
"It can often feel like repetitive messages but they're probably the most important messages you could hear," he said.
"It's not just face masks, hand washing and distancing. It's also flu jabs and we've said very clearly to our colleagues that perhaps never before has it been so important – not just because it's winter and potential of coronavirus.
"We don't know how coronavirus will interfere with flu. None of us know.
"The more we can prepare our workforce and community to stay fit and well is very positive message.
"We really need to reinforce that message for people to stay fit and well in this particular winter period – this one more than ever – and we need people to follow those messages."
The NHS is asking for everyone to ensure they follow social distancing rules, keep up with wearing face masks and regularly washing their hands to stop the spread of diseases.
Everyone has been encouraged to make sure they have a flu vaccination this year and to make sure anyone requiring medical help to call 111 in the first instance rather than arriving at hospitals or putting additional pressures on GP appointments.
Mr Devine added: "We've done well during the first wave of Covid because people were listening to the messages.
"But when you lift those restrictions and people can go back out again and those basic messages start to slip – don't start wearing face masks in high streets or don't keep distancing and rule of six and people then don't follow because the feel like we've been doing it for so long.
"We know it's frustrating and impacting all of our lives. But if we do it we'll stay the right side of the line we can manage and treat in hospital.
"You cannot ignore the impact of coronavirus. In our community it has. For some [it has been] very big but some to a lesser degree but there's no doubt it has.
"By following the very simple advice and instructions, it does keep people safe and well. We know that from wave one.
"What we're urging people is: stick with us.
"If we do those things then we stand a good chance of doing well again if we see a second peak alongside the normal pressures of winter in the NHS."
Mr Devine says the hospital has been working with other health providers like Medway Community Health, councils and Virgin Healthcare which works with the trust in Sittingbourne and Sheppey.
"You overlay Covid potential into that. A lot of that is unknown but the structure – how you deal with surgical admissions, get patients back into their homes or care homes and community settings – doesn't really change whether we're dealing with winter or Covid.
"What will [change] is the significance of those numbers.
"We thought about what did we learn from March to June and what we can improve on but also what did we learn from last winter that we can apply this year."
