NHS Trust in Lincolnshire have sent home staff who have shown coronavirus symptoms

NHS staff working at Lincolnshire Community Health Services (LCHS) Trusts across the county have been sent home with Covid-19 related symptoms, it has been confirmed.
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The LCHS Trust, which runs services at John Coupland Hospital in Gainsborough as well as Louth, Skegness and Spalding, confirmed several members of staff working at its community hospitals have been sent home after showing signs of the virus.

However, in line with NHS England guidelines, an LCHS Trust spokesman was not able to confirm which of their specific hospitals had been affected.

The spokesman said: “We can confirm that several members of staff working at our community hospitals have been sent home with COVID-19 related symptoms. Every infection prevention precaution is being taken, and staff caring for patients are trained and equipped to do so safely.

John Coupland Hospital, Gainsborough John Coupland Hospital, Gainsborough
John Coupland Hospital, Gainsborough

“We would encourage people to visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19 for the latest information on COVID-19, to find out what the symptoms are and how to help prevent the spread.”

T o help with staff shortages nearly 100 student nurses have joined the frontline NHS Lincolnshire teams to help fight back against the coronavirus pandemic.

The final year student nurses from the University of Lincoln will be joining all three Lincolnshire healthcare providers at the end of April. They will play important roles in supporting acute hospitals, community services, and mental health and learning disability services.

This cohort of nurses will boost the Lincolnshire workforce, following a national call for nurses in-training to step up and serve in the fight against coronavirus. Students will work in all kinds of healthcare settings in Lincolnshire, matching their skills to meet particular needs in our local area.

LCHS is expecting to have 17 student nurses. Two will work on community hospital wards, two in urgent treatment centres and the rest will be spread across the county in the community teams.

Dr Kate Grafton, head of school of health and social care at the University of Lincoln, said: “We’re incredibly proud of our nursing students who are supporting the NHS workforce in our region.”