ONE of the medical experts helping oversee Poole Hospital medical response to the coronavirus pandemic has said his job has "changed entirely".

Robert Middleton, professor of orthopaedics, is one of six medical commanders who have been appointed to oversee care for patients during the current situation.

While he has been clinical director of trauma at the hospital in Longfleet Road for the past ten years, Professor Middleton said his elective work and clinics had stopped to free up space for COVID-19 patients.

Professor Middleton, who is also head of the Orthopaedic Research Institute at Bournemouth University, said “For over twenty years, I’ve done the same job every day of the week, and around 90 per cent of my work has been with patients, either operating or seeing them in the clinics, or doing ward rounds.

"That has changed entirely, and now 100 per cent of my work involves management and organising a response to the current pandemic."

He said that during a serious incident, such as the pandemic, the hospital sets up an incident room to respond to the situation. This involves organising extra doctors and nurses, extra equipment or ordering more blood.

The medical commanders complete a 12-hour shift from 8am to 8pm and remain available on call overnight.

"We have always been prepared for incidents, but previously they have been short incidents, lasting for an hour or a day or two," said Professor Middleton. "This is very different, we think this emergency will go on for weeks or months.

"We take it in turn to be in the incident room, where with the nursing commander and management commander, we respond to problems as they arise.”

Professor Middleton added: "My life has changed from spending most of my waking hours in theatres to spending the day in a board room. For the present time, that’s the best way I can make a contribution. But we must appreciate the doctors, the nurses and the support staff who are working on the front line looking after patients.

"It’s great to be able to support them, to make sure they have all the equipment they need to do their job.”

Doctor Matt Thomas, medical director Poole Hospital, said: “I’m delighted that our senior medical team have stepped up to provide the additional support the hospital needs at this time.

"Professor Middleton joins Miss Abigail Evans, deputy medical director and clinical lead for breast and endocrine surgery; Doctor Maxine Flubacher, consultant clinical oncologist; Doctor Lee Gray, deputy medical director and consultant in emergency medicine; Doctor Ralph Gregory, lead consultant neurologist and Doctor Stephen Wadhams, lead consultant paediatrician, as our medical commanders overseeing the provision of safe and effective care for patients.”