Forth Valley doctor Peter Murdoch out of retirement to help in virus crisis

With such a reputation who better to call on in this time of crisis that we now find ourselves facing.

He had spent over three decades as a consultant in geriatric medicine with what is now NHS Forth Valley, and latterly held the post of interim medical director.

But in December 2014 he decided it was time to hand over the reins and fill his days with something other than hospital wards and clinics.

However, fast forward to March this year and he again found himself in the front-line of healthcare.

Dr Murdoch is one of the tens of thousands of former NHS staff who have answered the call to put their years of experience to use to help the country cope during the coronavirus pandemic.

He explained: “I knew that there was a need for people and I contacted some of those I knew from my time on the board offering my services in whatever way I could help.

“About ten days later I received a call and was asked ‘can you be here in an hour’s time’. Of course, I was happy to do what I could.

Since then he has been helping out in a number of ways but his main priority has been to co-ordinate the response to shielding that is supporting those living in their own homes but who have no-one to help with collecting prescriptions or shopping for food.

“It’s been about ensuring the local authorities, primary care and acute care can identify and support those people who are high risk, perhaps who have or are receiving chemotherapy, to continue to be safe.

“These are the people who would be most at risk if they had to venture outside to a supermarket or pharmacy.”

He added that it had been a case of looking through records and checking locally that no-one in need slipped through a crack.

“There are a lot of vulnerable people who are managing to live independent lives and we want them to be able to continue to do so.

“The vast majority are managing at home but we do not want them to catch coronavirus and they are the ones who may be more susceptible.”

Dr Murdoch (69) said the first challenge of returning to the NHS had been to learn half a dozen new passwords and logins, but many of those he had worked with previously were still around.

“There are also others who are back volunteering.I’ve been very impressed how quickly people have been processed and brought back into the fold to be used profitably.”

As a senior health official, pandemic planning was something he was involved in before retirement and he is now seeing those plans put into action.

“This is a very difficult situation for everyone involved with planning but it is encouraging to see how they are reacting and coping well with the new challenges this brings.

“I’ve been most impressed with the staff and I’m happy to work with them to help in any way I can.”

Dr Murdoch said we are all living in unprecedented times in a situation which is “beyond people’s wildest dreams or comprehension”.

He added: “But this is not singling anyone out, it is affecting everyone.

“Whether it is our liberty or being able to do the things we normally do, we are all affected and we are having to follow different rules.

“However, I think the overwhelming majority of people are rising to the challenge and we are seeing the very best of people at this time.”

Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals have also answered the call to support their former colleagues with latest figures showing that 25,000 responded within ten days across the UK.

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