Interview with Member of Parliament for Watford - Dean Russell

Joining Miles Blumsom on the Vibe107.6 Breakfast Show, Member of Parliament for Watford, Dean Russell, provided listeners with a weekly COVID-19 update

Joining Miles Blumsom on the Vibe107.6 Breakfast Show, Member of Parliament for Watford, Dean Russell, provided listeners with a weekly COVID-19 update.

As Watford General Hospital begins mobile coronavirus testing, Mr Russell provided an insight into the drive-through test centre set up by the hospital.

“As I understand it, the drive-through test centre at Watford General Hospital is for staff at the hospital and for family members if they have symptoms,” he said.

“NHS staff members may be self-isolating, whilst not actually having coronavirus. It is an opportunity for them to put their minds at rest. We can make sure who has it and who hasn’t.

“Mobile testing has been amazing around the country. It has been a steep curve to get to this point with tests. I am particularly pleased with the mobile testing at the hospital.”

Whilst the NHS works hard to prevent fatalities, care homes are struggling to cope. With the number of dead rising in such establishments, the Member of Parliament said:

“I’ve been pushing as hard as I can to make sure that care homes across Watford and the surrounding areas are getting the personal protective equipment (PPE) that they need.

“As you can imagine, I am absolutely heartbroken hearing about fatalities, it is awful. The sad thing about the coronavirus is that it’s quite an easy thing to catch. We have to make sure that the staff in those homes are being looked after, that they have the right PPE and that patients are as safe as they can be.

“I am making sure that everyone who needs PPE knows how to get it. It’s an uphill struggle. PPE always has to be replenished.”

With some businesses re-opening (including B&Q in Watford), Mr Russell shared his take on how organisations should manage the way that people go back to work.

“My preference on a personal level is that we take absolute precaution and think before making decisions,” he said.

“I have been particularly concerned about construction workers. The challenge is making sure that social distancing and PPE is in place.

“Any organisation thinking about re-opening must be 100% sure that staff are not at risk. It’s not something that can be taken lightly. Organisations must make sure that they are looking after both their staff and also customers.

“I am particularly bothered about construction workers. Health and safety is always seen as something really critical, especially on a construction site. In this instance, it is particularly important that this isn’t seen as an opportunity to start building again when there isn’t an immediate need to do so.”

Mr Russell continued and said:

“The truth is that we have to go about lockdown in the right way.

“I totally get that people want to know when this is going to be over with. I totally get that.

“If the Government came out and set a date to end this, but close to that date there was another spike in coronavirus activity and they couldn’t deliver, it would cause upset, concern and irritation in the public.

“I’m sure the Government will announce an end date. We have to do it in the right way. It’s really important that we have a clear view of what we are going to do and have the right discussions about what that would look like.

“It would be politically very easy to please people and announce a date. But, if we cannot deliver, then that will be a big problem. The whole point of lockdown is to save lives.

“I am sure there will be an announcement as soon as there can be.”

Volunteering in Watford General Hospital on top of Parliament duties, Russell explained the importance of community and how he and his team have contributed when trying to beat the virus:

“It is so important to lead with action rather than with just words. We’ve worked on something like 1,500 cases already as a team. It is really important at this time that we all pull through together.

“The best thing we can do is to stay at home, but if you can go out and volunteer, if it is safe for you to do so health wise, then it’s really rewarding.

“The people doing these amazing jobs really are heroes. They are like the front line at war and we are winning that war.

Watford in particular is really coming together. The community here is really off the scale. Watford Football Club are just incredible with the work that they have done. Watford, you should feel really proud of yourself. “

To listen back to the full interview, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WXnVFcnfow&t=4s