Strategic planning and response to COVID-19 in a London emergency department. Issue 9 (15th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Whitwell, Kerrie; Maynard, Rachel; Barry, Natalia; Cowling, Victoria; Sood, Tara
• Is Part Of: Emergency medicine journal. Volume 37:Issue 9(2020)
• Page Start: 567
• Page End: 570
• Publication Date: 2020-07-15
• Subjects: emergency department -- emergency care systems, emergency departments -- disaster planning and response -- effectiveness -- emergency department operations; Emergency medicine -- Periodicals; 616.02505
• DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2020-209797
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-0205

Abstract

Abstract : For many of us in emergency medicine, rising to the challenge of the COVID-19 crisis will be the single most exciting and challenging episode of our careers. Lessons have been learnt on how to make quick and effective changes without being hindered by the normal restraints of bureaucracy. Changes that would normally have taken months to years to implement have been successfully introduced over a period of several weeks. Although we have managed these changes largely by command and control, compassionate leadership has identified leaders within our team and paved the way for the future. This article covers the preparation and changes made in response to COVID-19 in a London teaching hospital.