Staff at Paisley's Royal Alexandra Hospital who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic have shared their hopes for 2022 as they continue to battle Covid-19.
Those working in various departments of the Corsebar Road site have praised the dedication of staff throughout 2021, which they say was one of the "most challenging of their careers".
Paisley man John Hunter is the Interim Senior Charge Nurse of the Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
He said he can see the toll the past year has had on doctors, nurses and other staff members at the hospital.
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However, while he believes covid will be the cause of even more challenges in 2022, he hopes it will be brighter for those at the RAH.
He said: "Against the backdrop of Covid-19, 2021 was one of the most challenging years in our careers, and I anticipate that 2022 will bring with it some more challenges.
"But shift on shift, our nurses, doctors and AHPs are giving their all in their efforts to provide patients best possible care.
"I can see the toll this is having on them physically and psychologically first hand and I hope that I continue to have the strength, empathy, and professional fortitude to guide and support my team through what lies ahead in 2022."
He added: "I am looking forward to welcoming our student nurses and hope that our dedicated and professional team can instil the deep sense of pride and privileged that goes hand in hand with caring for patients. I am hopeful that we, as a team can help to enthuse this next generation of nurses. Hopefully, some may even wish to pursue a career in critical care nursing.
"My family and I live in Paisley. Over the years I have had personal encounters with healthcare services at the RAH. Some of these encounters have brought sadness, other encounters have brought deep joy - never have I felt let down.
"I hope that this year and every year our team can contribute to the outstanding care that the RAH provides, in which our local community can place their trust."
Professor Kevin Rooney, clinical director for Critical Care for Clyde and a Consultant Intensivist within the Royal Alexandra Hospital also hopes the hard work being done by staff to fight Covid-19 will continue this year.
He said: "Over the last two years we have seen the benefits of taking part in clinical research in tackling emerging diseases such as Covid-19.
"We now have the successful vaccination programme which not only protects us from covid but also minimises the severity of disease.
"My hope for 2022, is that we will continue with this relentless focus to learn from clinical research and find out what treatments work well, why and under what circumstances so that we can reduce covid related morbidity and mortality."
The RAH will also mark the opening of a HALO (Hero And Loved Ones) critical care garden at the hospital, which Professor Rooney says will be a "sanctuary space" for patients and staff.
The respite space is set to open in March this year thanks to funding from the Endowments Committee and the Green Exercise Partnership/
Prof Rooney added: "My other hope is slightly more personal. Thanks to funding from the Endowments Committee and the Green Exercise Partnership, we are building a HALO (Hero And Loved Ones) critical care garden at the RAH.
"This is a sanctuary space outside that allows ICU staff and patients to get outside for respite and give them the opportunity to see patient family members, especially during covid when indoor visits have been difficult.
"This garden which has been co-designed by staff, patients and family members will be opened in March 2022 and not only commemorate and remember the sacrifices endured by patients, families and staff but also celebrate the healing process as well, I hope this will be of huge benefit to our patients, their families and our staff."
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