I would like to share with all readers a perception, a feeling I have had after our morning meeting with the rest of the team, previously face-to-face, now virtual:

... I have felt that my colleagues in Cudeca's care team are experiencing difficult times, I am referring to the doctors, nurses, social workers, physiotherapists and psychologists. These are the professionals who go to the patients' homes, those who work in the hospital and those in the consulting rooms....

These hard times are closely related to the pandemic we are living through and affect the relationships between patients and their families, between Cudeca's own colleagues and healthcare colleagues with whom we collaborate outside our centre.

We managed to reinvent our way of working, always taking on board the restrictions and recommendations suggested to us by the authorities responsible for controlling the virus. Even so, this adaptation has not been easy due to the organisation and the economic cost involved. We have seen and suffered how material that was usually reasonably priced and easy to obtain has multiplied its price by 10 times and how, as there was no stock on the market, we have been forced to obtain other material that we did not usually use, reducing our resources.

In order not to lose contact and follow-up of our patients, what are called new technologies have been introduced in our day-to-day work. Although I am not very skilled with them, I recognise that they are very useful and have been essential for our care and the performance of our mission. We have also needed to acquire new habits, protective equipment and other elements in order to guarantee security.

It is not easy to adapt to changes, although most of the time they are necessary and positive.

This atypical situation has stirred up a lot of things for all of us, even for our team, it's normal, isn't it? They are people with their families, friends and feelings...

The perception that I described at the beginning of this text, that feeling that is difficult to put in words, is one of complete gratitude, of being very proud of my colleagues. They have been able to control the fear and pressure of care and have been able to adapt to the increased demands of care, always thinking of the welfare of the patient and their families.

Colleagues, now more than ever, I thank you for who you are, for your availability and closeness, for your understanding and patience.

I would also like to convey this gratitude on behalf of the patients and their families and encourage you to continue being what you are... wonderful people.

By José Manuel Lapeira Cabello, Hospitalisation Unit Supervisor