East Sussex coronavirus patient first to be discharged from newly specialised ward

A patient from East Sussex has been discharged from a newly specialised hospital ward after being successfully treated for coronavirus (Covid-19).
By Richard Gladstone
Published 27th Apr 2020, 16:15 BST
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Jon McMullon was treated on Baird Ward at the Conquest Hospital in St Leonards and underwent CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), a type of non-invasive ventilation to help treat patients with types of respiratory failure.

His discharge has been greeted with delight on the ward.

Mollie Taylor, Sister on Baird Ward, said: “Mr McMullon was so grateful for our care and was reduced to tears when saying his thank yous and goodbyes, he insisted on having a photo ‘with the team who saved his life’.

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Back row - left to right Denise De La Cruz (Nurse), David Batchelor (Clinical Orderly), Andrew Aslett (HCA), Dimitris Raptis (HCA), Katie Pettet (HCA), Lita (Ward Housekeeper). Left side of patient Jon McMullon crouching, back to front: Stefana Sandu (HCA), Carol Stonestreet (SN), Mollie Taylor (Sister) Right side of Jon crouching, back to front: Martina Barry (SN), Kate Bridgett (SN), Cheryl Baxter (Ward Matron) SUS-200427-160455001Back row - left to right Denise De La Cruz (Nurse), David Batchelor (Clinical Orderly), Andrew Aslett (HCA), Dimitris Raptis (HCA), Katie Pettet (HCA), Lita (Ward Housekeeper). Left side of patient Jon McMullon crouching, back to front: Stefana Sandu (HCA), Carol Stonestreet (SN), Mollie Taylor (Sister) Right side of Jon crouching, back to front: Martina Barry (SN), Kate Bridgett (SN), Cheryl Baxter (Ward Matron) SUS-200427-160455001
Back row - left to right Denise De La Cruz (Nurse), David Batchelor (Clinical Orderly), Andrew Aslett (HCA), Dimitris Raptis (HCA), Katie Pettet (HCA), Lita (Ward Housekeeper). Left side of patient Jon McMullon crouching, back to front: Stefana Sandu (HCA), Carol Stonestreet (SN), Mollie Taylor (Sister) Right side of Jon crouching, back to front: Martina Barry (SN), Kate Bridgett (SN), Cheryl Baxter (Ward Matron) SUS-200427-160455001

“We are extremely proud that we have recently taken on a Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) service on Baird Ward in the past year to help treat patients with types of respiratory failure.

“All staff have undergone extra training to ensure we are competent and confident to provide this service, supported by our excellent consultants and specialist respiratory nurses.

“We had luckily trained all staff members for this prior to the Covid pandemic, as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or CPAP, which is a type of Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV), was found to be a form of treatment for some patients with Covid who were appropriate for it.

“The original idea of bringing NIV onto Baird Ward was to help alleviate the pressure on the Critical Care Unit and free up critical care beds. In doing this, we have become a specialist ward for NIV for patients with respiratory conditions.”

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Related topics:East SussexCovid-19Conquest HospitalSt Leonards