The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge paid a visit to the London Ambulance Centre in Croydon to meet staff members who take NHS 111 calls from the public.
“The last few weeks, and more recent days have been understandably concerning with the continuing spread of coronavirus. But it’s at times like this when we realise just how much the NHS represents the very best of our country and society,” William said in a post on the Royal Family’s website.
“Not only are NHS staff and emergency workers responding to the needs of the public, they – like the rest of us – are concerned about their families, friends and loved ones. They need our support as much as we need theirs,” he continued.
The London Ambulance Centre is reporting that it is receiving five times the normal call rates since the outbreak of coronavirus in the UK.
William and Kate met with both staff members and the Chief Executive of the London Ambulance Service to talk about how they’re all dealing with the increased calls; and learned how members of the public can go online to the NHS website to check their symptoms and learn more about the coronavirus before calling 111.
“We are all learning new ways of behaving socially as a result of this, and indeed new ways of working,” Garrett Emerson, the Chief Executive, said to reporters after their visit.
“We were talking with the duke about potential future visits if we are in further stages of social distancing – we may be doing remote conferencing for events like this. That’s certainly a possibility in the coming weeks and months.”
Kate asked the staff members how many 111 calls were related to mental health questions, and was told that a large volume of calls were about the issue. William asked about people without internet access, and said it was vital to have the phone service to call about concerns.
“Catherine and I were proud to visit staff working at NHS 111, to pass on our personal thanks, along with those of my grandmother and father, to staff working around the clock to provide care and advice to those that need it most.”
The London Ambulance Service also operates two 999 lines, which have received nearly 8,000 calls daily.
“‘[William] was asking about how busy we have been, and what shifts everybody was doing. We were saying everybody was working really hard,” said Tracey Pidgeon, a staffer, to reporters after their visit. She also revealed that William has been nostalgic for his job as an air ambulance pilot.
The royal couple were noted to follow proper protocols in hand-washing, keep their distance from workers, and using hand sanitizer twice during their visit.
The Royal Family has been sending messages of support this week to the people of the UK amidst the coronavirus outbreak. The Queen released a message to the UK and Commonwealth on Wednesday, the same day she travelled to Windsor Castle where she will be in self-isolation for an undetermined length of time.
In the message, she praised the work of scientists and medical professionals who are working around the clock: “We are enormously thankful for the expertise and commitment of our scientists, medical practitioners and emergency and public services; but now more than any time in our recent past, we all have a vitally important part to play as individuals – today and in the coming days, weeks and months.”
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh are now in self-isolation at Windsor Castle. As the UK government is asking anyone over the age of 70 to self-isolate, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall are also in self-isolation.
On Tuesday, William launched a donation appeal with the National Emergencies Trust to help organisations and individuals and ensure that “support reaches those across the UK who need it most, as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
