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Off-duty nurses praised for scrambling into action following bus crash

Staff helped to treat patients during major incident response in Devon 
Ambulance driving on a country road

Staff helped to treat patients during major incident response in Devon 

Picture: iStock

Nurses who rushed into work on their day off to help care for casualties following a bus crash in south Devon have been praised for their dedication.

A total of 37 patients needed treatment after a double-decker bus overturned after crashing on the A385 between Totnes and Paignton at around 11am on Saturday.

Trust’s chief nurse thanks everyone who helped support casualties

In a video message to staff, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust chief nurse and deputy chief executive Jane Viner thanked them for their efforts.

'Many staff came in to ensure our emergency departments and our wards and services were safely staffed,’ she said. ‘That’s medical staff and nursing staff – but also our support staff and volunteers.’

In a later statement, Ms Viner added: ‘It’s been a huge team effort by emergency services, and hospital staff in Exeter, Plymouth and Torbay.

‘We’ve had extra surgeons, doctors, GPs, nurses, chaplains and many other support staff reporting for duty. Thank you all.’

MP adds her gratitude to staff on social media

Liberal Democrat MP for Totnes Sarah Wollaston also thanked staff in a tweet.

 

Status update on patients admitted to hospital 

A spokesperson for the trust said yesterday that a number of patients remained in hospital, but that most people who were admitted in relation to the incident had been discharged. 

They added that those who remained in hospital were in a stable condition.


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