Following the NHS’ 72nd birthday on Sunday 5 July, NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is celebrating the contributions made by some of the unsung heroes of the coronavirus pandemic.
On Sunday 5 July, the NHS celebrated its 72nd birthday and around the country, NHS organisations joined the nation in recognising the achievements of its staff over the last year as well as other key workers and volunteers. NHS Leeds CCG is taking the opportunity to shine a light on the heroes of the COVID19 pandemic whose contributions often go unnoticed. From IT workers to people redeployed in new roles, the CCG wants the public to recognise those behind the scenes of the pandemic response.
One such hero is Dominic Maddocks, a street health clinical practitioner who works within the cities multiagency street support team for rough sleepers to ensure access to healthcare for some of the most vulnerable people in Leeds.
Dominic navigates the streets of Leeds, often on foot, to help care for people with multiple complex and unmet physical and mental health needs, often as a result of traumatic life events. Despite the coronavirus pandemic affecting the way health services could be offered, Dominic has continued his work out in the streets of Leeds caring for homeless people within the city. Dominic is part of the Bevan Healthcare CIC team who provide health and wellbeing to the most vulnerable in the city.
Building on the trust and strong relationships Dom has worked hard to develop, he informed and encouraged those who were homeless to access the safe temporary accommodation being offered by the council. He has responded to immediate health needs and undertaken multiple health assessments to identify those most at risk of complications from COVID-19, so that they could be supported to self-isolate when necessary.
Lucy Chiddick, GP Lead for Health Equity – vulnerable groups, at NHS Leeds CCG, said: “Dominic’s work has been invaluable and he deserves all of the recognition he receives’.
“There has been some fantastic multi agency working in the city which has resulted in over 200 homeless people being taken into safe temporary accommodation. Dom has worked closely with multiple agencies to ensure that people’s needs are met in a holistic way. He has managed many of their health needs and also facilitated remote access to other healthcare professionals when necessary.
“Dom’s drive and passion to support people’s health needs has helped many people to remain in the safe accommodation and to come to a point of stability where they are able to consider the future and what that might look like. It’s important that, as we celebrate the 72 birthday of the NHS, we continue to build on the principles it was founded on – Dominic demonstrates those values every single day.”
To find out more about the NHS birthday, please visit NHS England’s website: https://www.england.nhs.uk/nhsbirthday/about-the-nhs-birthday/
To see the local hidden heroes of the NHS please visit https://www.leedsccg.nhs.uk/health/campaigns/hidden-heroes-of-the-nhs/ or follow #NHSHiddenHeroes on Twitter.
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Interview requests with Dominic Maddocks
Please email the CCG’s communications team [email protected] or call 0113 843 5529.
Hidden Heroes of the NHS campaign
If you would like to read more stories of hidden heroes from the NHS you can visit www.leedsccg.nhs.uk/hidden-heroes-of-the-nhs/ to find out more about the wide range of NHS staff who have contributed to the COVID19 response in Leeds.
You can also follow the campaign on social media. Profiles and stories will be pushed on NHS Leeds CCG’s Facebook, twitter and Instagram pages. Use the hashtag #NHSHiddenHeroes to follow the campaign.