Confirmed cases of coronavirus in Salford have now hit 259, up by 17 on the previous day's 242. Manchester now has by far the greatest number of cases in Greater Manchester with 361, followed by Stockport on 270, Trafford 240, Oldham 232, Wigan 197, Rochdale 186, Bolton 185, Tameside 182 and Bury 151.
The number of patients at Salford Royal Hospital who have now sadly died has reached sixty as of 6th April.
Today, the NHS has launched a mental health hotline to support its 1.4million staff dealing with coronavirus, who are facing incredible pressures on the front line of the pandemic.
Staff will be able to call or text a free number staffed by thousands of specially trained volunteers, to receive support and advice, as 1,500 volunteers man the lines from charities including Hospice UK, the Samaritans and Shout.
The volunteers will listen to NHS staff and give psychological support to those in need. Anyone who requires further help will be signposted to other services ranging from practical and financial assistance through to specialist bereavement and psychological support. The phone line will be open between 7am and 11pm every day, while the text service will be 24/7.
"We need to do everything we can to support our incredible NHS people as they care for people through this global health emergency" says Prerana Issar, Chief People Officer for the NHS "That's why we have developed a range of support for all NHS staff, from one to one mental health support to a sympathetic voice to confide in.
"The NHS is rightly doing everything we can for our staff, but the best thing the public can do for nurses, doctors and other NHS staff, is to protect them by staying indoors and washing your hands" she concludes.
The NHS has also partnered with Headspace, UnMind and Big Health to offer a suite of apps for no charge to assist staff with their mental health. The apps offer support in everything from guided meditation, tools to battle anxiety and help with sleep problems.
Meanwhile, residents of Salford and beyond are invited to a free online talk today at a very virtual Working Class Movement Library, via Zoom. From 2pm, Cathy Hunt will be talking about Mary Macarthur, 'the working women's champion'...
When Mary Macarthur died in 1921, colleagues remarked that she had done more for women workers than any other person in the British labour movement. Historian Cathy Hunt's newly published biography of this dynamic, charismatic trade union leader is the first full length study to appear for nearly one hundred years. In this talk, Cathy will examine the life and times of Macarthur and the continued relevance of her work today.
To watch, just before the meeting time click on the online event link which is https://us04web.zoom.us/j/957267119 . You do not have to have a Zoom account to attend a Zoom 'meeting' but you need to 'join with computer audio' so that you can hear the talk. Update: This link has now been changed to the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/events/595672084541891/ where passwords and stuff will be posted
Yesterday, the Salford Star published some 'rewards' for NHS and emergency service staff which included free entry to Salford Red Devils home games, a free bike for a nurse trying to get to Salford Royal Hospital, a free night of Bongo's Bingo and a free four day break at a five star lodge – click here for details
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