I’ve seen heroes in war zones & NHS staff fighting coronavirus are just as brave, says Ross Kemp as he backs Sun appeal
OVER the past couple of decades, I have covered conflicts around the world.
But this latest battle-ground was like nothing I have ever seen before.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
To donate to our appeal please click
In intensive care units around the country, doctors and nurses are fighting an entirely new enemy that no one has ever faced before.
We have heard Government ministers describe the coronavirus crisis in militaristic terms.
And having now seen for myself what an NHS intensive care unit is going through, I can tell you, that language is absolutely fitting.
Last week, I was invited by the NHS and Milton Keynes University Hospital with my small team to highlight their tireless work on the frontline and allow them to tell us, the public, what we can do to try to stop the spread of this deadly virus.
The documentary is called Ross Kemp: On The NHS Frontline, because that is the only the way to describe the position that they are in right now.
There, in the ICU, I saw people from all walks of life, of all ages, who were desperately fighting Covid-19, being treated by incredibly professional staff who are, let’s be clear, risking their lives while giving all their patients the most astonishing love and care.
The word “intensive”, I realised, not only describes the state of the patient but the work done by all in the NHS.
Dr Hamid Manji, a consultant with two decades of experience, said: “We’ve become a hospital that is effectively on a war footing.
“The reality is this feels like a war zone and a field hospital.”
Like many people, when I first heard about Covid-19 months ago, I assumed it was no worse than the common flu and that it would mainly, and sadly, affect the elderly and those with respiratory problems.
Dr Manji, who showed remarkable calm under the most trying of circumstances, told me the brutal truth.
He said: “I have been doing this intensive care work for 20 years now and I have never seen this overwhelming number of young patients who are amazingly unwell.
Give now to The Sun's NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £1MILLION for NHS workers.
The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £50,000 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.
No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here
www.
“It is young people we are seeing on the intensive care unit. It’s not that you have to be ill or you have to be old.
“Young people are suffering with no history of illness.”
Myself and a cameraman were permitted into the ICU for just under 30 minutes where we were fitted with PPE.
The equipment we wore was replaced with our own stock so that we were not a drain on the hospital’s resources.
Safety for the staff, patients and everyone at the hospital is absolutely paramount.
While at all times we worked with NHS staff to respect and protect the privacy of patients, a retired military police officer, Paul Breeze, asked us to film him receiving treatment, something I found incredibly brave.
He wanted viewers to understand just how serious this virus is.
Later, I met another patient, called George, as he was wheeled out of a ward with a full guard of honour of nurses and doctors cheering his recovery.
He was emotional as he recounted how he had been sedated and on a ventilator for more than two weeks.
He could barely find the words to describe his appreciation for the staff who had saved his life.
And to see him reunited with his family was highly emotional.
Over in A&E, a department that is usually the most busy, it was relatively quiet and in stark contrast to the hive of activity in ICU.
With a nation keeping indoors, there have been fewer accidents.
A&E workers Keiran and Katie told me they were seeing fewer patients than usual.
To donate to our appeal please click
Alcohol-related admissions have dropped since the pubs and bars have closed under lockdown.
But they are worried that people who do need urgent treatment might be putting off coming in.
Katie’s message to them was clear: “We are open for business 24/7, we will still see everybody.
“We need to say to people that if they do need our help, then we are here and we will see people.”
Not all coronavirus patients end up in intensive care, thankfully. Some enter the hospital and return within hours to quarantine at home.
And some, sadly are not so lucky. Like everyone else, my heart goes out to them and their families.
We live in unprecedented times, people are worried and people are fearful.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW
Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun's Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, .
To follow us on Facebook, simply .
Get Britain's best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day - .
MOST READ IN UK NEWS
The reason for making this documentary is to show the selfless work being done by our NHS, along with their dedication and the love they show to their patients.
But perhaps, even more importantly, it is for us to give them the opportunity to tell the public how we can help them beat this deadly virus.
The professionalism, the care and the love that I witnessed at Milton Keynes is why I am backing The Sun’s Who Cares Wins appeal to raise money for frontline NHS workers during this terrible time.
- Ross Kemp: On The NHS Frontline is on ITV tomorrow night at 8.30pm
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]