Inside Addenbrooke's Hospital as it battles back after the Covid-19 peak

Summary

Live updates from Addenbrooke's Hospital as it emerges from the post-Covid-19 peak
Hospital faces waiting list backlog after coronavirus pandemic
The hospital has about 14 patients with Covid-19 and none in critical care
'We're starting to get back into the normal work at the right time' - surgeon
Stories from patients and staff at one of the UK's leading hospitals
You can share your stories about Addenbrooke's Hospital by using the hashtag #hospitallivebbc on Twitter or by emailing eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk

Live Reporting

Laurence Cawley, Phil Shepka, Orla Moore and Stuart Bailey

'It's been a completely different experience to my first baby'published at 10:58 British Summer Time 30 July 2020
Mum Gemma Woodard is relaxing back in the maternity ward with new baby Ethan.
The little lad is her second, born by planned caesarean.
The operation means visiting times from dad and big sister Madison, three, have been restricted.
Media caption,
Planned cesarian under Covid-19 theatre precautions 'quite daunting'
"In theatre it was difficult because I couldn't hear what they were saying with the PPE," Gemma recounts.
"I had to wear a mask but I didn't feel well and I was allowed to take it off.
"I think it would have stressed me out more."
'Our chocolate labrador ran into my leg and broke it'published at 10:45 British Summer Time 30 July 2020
Phil Shepka
BBC News
Becky Jackson is in radiography with husband Tim, hoping to have the brace on her leg removed.
She broke her leg six weeks ago after "our chocolate labrador ran into it".
Tim, for one, will be happy to see his wife back on her feet.
"It's been an absolute nightmare, I've had to learn how to use the washing machine," he jokes.
The couple said that this is the first time he has been able to join her in the hospital as lockdown as eased.
"The staff here have been fantastic," Mrs Jackson said. "I can't praise them enough."
'The smiles behind the masks'published at 10:38 British Summer Time 30 July 2020
Laurence Cawley
BBC News
Some of the faces on the front line of Addenbrooke's Hospital care.
Staff wanted patients to see what they actually looked like without PPE on so created this 'smiles behind the masks' board.
The chillout room for midwivespublished at 10:26 British Summer Time 30 July 2020
Laurence Cawley
BBC News
Did you know that 2020 is International Year of the Midwife and Nurse, external?
Sharjah Bakhtiari is a professional midwifery advocate.
She's in a purpose-built chill room for midwifes during their shifts.
The room has soft lighting and furnishings - and a massage chair.
"Sometimes they just need half an hour to take a break, turn the light off," she said.
"It helps them restore their energy and get back to work.
It's the job of the professional midwifery advocate team to do whatever we can to reduce stress and promote healthy mental health.
"We need them."
'Collaboration has been key'published at 10:13 British Summer Time 30 July 2020
For outpatients matron, Tracey Murray, one of the main responses to the Covid-19 outbreak was mobilising staff to help in inpatient areas of the hospital.
More than 30 nursing, reception and support staff - out of a total of 200 - were moved to other areas to support efforts.
"Importantly, we've been able to deliver the NHS plan we were given five years for - in two weeks," she said.
"Collaboration has been key, as well as the dedication of nursing and support staff.
"It has made us step back and really think about how we can deliver the best patient care."
On hand to protect outpatientspublished at 10:09 British Summer Time 30 July 2020
Ather Aziz is the first face many people will see when they enter outpatients.
He's a security guard - but he has face masks and hand sanitiser on hand to make sure you're protected on your way to your appointment.
'A world that is totally unknown'published at 09:52 British Summer Time 30 July 2020
Phil Shepka
BBC News
Dr Christof Kastner said the pandemic had a major effect on family and working life.
"It has been stressful, where you have to change your routines with your children and partners, but also here at the hospital, I have done very little clinical work - it's been so busy with the continuous changes and adjustments," he said.
"This is a world that is totally unknown."
"Nobody can tell us how it should be done, we've had to develop the solutions on a daily basis," he added.
"It has brought the team closer together - you learn more about the people you work with.
"But you do need a holiday."
'We went from 17,000 face-to-face appointments to 1,000'published at 09:43 British Summer Time 30 July 2020
Phil Shepka
BBC News
This is Christof Kastner, a consultant urologist who treats patients with prostate cancer.
He's also the clinical lead here at the outpatients department.
Dr Kastner tells me the unit changed "drastically" at the beginning of the pandemic.
"We went from 17,000 face-to-face appointments to 1,000 within a week as a response to the Covid-19 threat in March," he said.
"Instantly we also went from 750 remote video or telephone appointments to 5,000.
"We had to minimise footfall to protect patients and staff but also provide a high quality service."
He said today, the unit is back up to around 85% of the patient numbers they were seeing before the pandemic.
Next stop: The outpatients departmentpublished at 09:31 British Summer Time 30 July 2020
Phil Shepka
BBC News
I’ve arrived outside the main outpatients building in the glorious Cambridge sunshine to join the live reporting team.
The footfall as you walk into the hospital at 09:30 is noticeably quiet.
I’m going to be speaking with staff here about how they are returning to more face-to-face services following the peak of the pandemic, as well as catching up with some patients.
'This is Ben, who was born a few hours ago'published at 09:19 British Summer Time 30 July 2020
We told you about baby Ben's arrival a little bit earlier.
As you can see, mother and baby seem to be doing very well.
Media caption,
Baby Ben was born a few hours ago
'Our top priority is keeping staff and patients safe'published at 09:16 British Summer Time 30 July 2020
Orla Moore
BBC News
The national news breaking this morning is that the length of time people with coronavirus symptoms will have to self-isolate for is expected to be increased from seven to 10 days in England.
Currently, people showing the main symptoms - a new continuous cough, high temperature or loss of taste or smell - must self-isolate for at least a week.
Image source, Getty Images
David Wherrett, Director of Workforce at Cambridge University Hospitals, told us their top priority is to keep staff and patients safe.
"This latest development may mean we have slightly longer absence periods if staff are symptomatic," he said, "but that is absolutely the right thing to do in order to stop the spread of Covid-19 and keep people safe."
The birthing pool rubber duckpublished at 09:09 British Summer Time 30 July 2020
It's not just midwives on hand to help mothers get through labour... This rubber duck is ready for duty in the birthing pool on the maternity unit.
Covid-19: 'Moving to the front line - without knowing the enemy'published at 08:53 British Summer Time 30 July 2020
Richard Westcott
Science correspondent
The hospital has come a long way in the past few months.
At the start of the pandemic, many, very experienced staff were genuinely frightened - these are people who are normally so ice cool under pressure.
People I know well.
It made me nervous seeing how nervous they were.
Image source, PA Media
They’d seen the pictures from Italy and just didn’t know what was to come .. we were all worried but imagine knowing you’re about to move up to the front line of a battle, especially when you know so little about the enemy.
They deal with tragedy and emergencies every day but they’re still just human beings - people were scared.
They’ve adapted incredibly quickly and it’s very calm and assured again, but in recent weeks many doctors have told me how worried they are about a second wave.
Welcome to the world, baby Ben!published at 08:40 British Summer Time 30 July 2020
Proud parents Felicity Allen and David Wilson are making the most of a little quiet time.
Baby Ben is just a few hours old and is sleeping off a feed.
He's weighed in at 3.8 kilos - that's eight pounds and six ounces in old money.
"I wouldn't recommend labour," said Felicity. "But it got this one out.
"He's a bit sleepy now - it's busy being born!"
Waiting in the green roompublished at 08:33 British Summer Time 30 July 2020
Laurence Cawley
BBC News
Just waiting in a "green room" at the Rosie Maternity Hospital - where the staff can come and relax during their hectic shifts.
Dr Kanwalraj Moar told me it's too early to say whether there'll be an influx of lockdown babies.
But she expects "plenty of Christmas births".
In the meantime, I'm told there is a newborn baby currently being weighed - so we're hoping to meet baby and family shortly ...
Addenbrooke's Hospital: At the global heart of medicinepublished at 08:27 British Summer Time 30 July 2020
Orla Moore
BBC News
Addenbrooke's Hospital is now at the heart of the ever-growing Cambridge Biomedical Campus.
Image source, PA Media
The 70-acre behemoth brings together two globally-renowned hospitals: Addenbrooke's - the East of England's major trauma centre and a university teaching hospital, and Royal Papworth, a world-leading transplant centre.
Their presence in the campus is vital because it's here they are in touching distance of giants in the fields of pharmaceuticals, like Astra Zeneca, and research - with the headquarters of Cancer Research UK.
From pipette to patient - and everything in between.
Across the way is the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, nicknamed the Nobel Prize Factory - led by Sir Hugh Pelham.
Addenbrooke's Hospital: A potted historypublished at 08:21 British Summer Time 30 July 2020
Orla Moore
BBC News
Image source, CUH Archive
It's hard to believe that the Addenbrooke's Hospital we know today had humble beginnings in the centre of Cambridge.
The original building on Trumpington Street - now the Judge Business School and Brown's Brasserie - was founded in 1766.
It was funded by a bequest of £4,500 - worth about £13m today - from St Catharine's College fellow, Dr John Addenbrooke, who died at the age of 39 in 1719.
The hospital began its move to its current site at the end of Hills Road in 1961.
Image source, CUH Archives
Surgeon Kanwalraj Moar on the day aheadpublished at 08:12 British Summer Time 30 July 2020
Don't forget you can join the conversation by sending us a tweet using the hashtag #hospitallivebbc or emailing eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk.
Kanwalraj Moar is ready for a busy day...
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Wearing 'heavy loads of PPE' makes operating toughpublished at 08:06 British Summer Time 30 July 2020
We went behind the scenes in an operating theatre to find out how difficult it is for staff to communicate and perform delicate procedures while wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks.
Covid-19 positive cases in staff 'low'published at 07:48 British Summer Time 30 July 2020
Nikki Fox
BBC East Health Correspondent
The number of staff testing positive at Addenbrooke's Hospital is much lower than other hospitals in neighbouring counties - reflecting the lower rates of Covid-19 in the community in Cambridgeshire.
To date, 2,626 members of staff have been tested and 3.4% had been Covid positive, according to hospital figures.
In one hospital in Suffolk 18% tested positive, while at another hospital in Essex 26% tested positive.