Rising to the challenge of COVID-19
Josie Bearne, an employee of TMD Insurance Group, is rising to the challenge of COVID-19 by providing a range of community response services and helping to organise vital assistance for NHS staff and ambulance crews.
Josie runs the Community Responders for Barnet, in North London, which has been coordinating with the London Ambulance Service (LAS) and St Johns Ambulance volunteers, delivering COVID-19 swab testing kits to NHS staff, along with snacks and drinks to ambulance crews in the area.
She explains: “My responders were initially answering 999 calls and attending COVID-19 cases. However, due to a lack of PPE, they have been asked not to go out on shift until appropriate protective equipment is in place. As a result, we are now focusing on other areas of assistance.”
“We are now involved on a daily basis collecting swab testing kits from specific London hospitals and delivering them to NHS staff currently in isolation. Responders knock on the door, leave the swab test kit outside and wait while the member of staff carries out the test. The test kit is then handed back to the responder, who drops it off at the testing centre.”
Josie’s team is also assisting with the requirement for volunteers to deliver snacks and drinks to ambulance crews. In addition, some of her responders are attending courses to upskill this week, enabling them to work in ambulances alongside paramedics working on the frontline.
Josie’s sister, who works for Waitrose, is also helping to support the local community by organising ‘shop drops’ for the elderly and neighbours who cannot get out due to isolation or ailments.
TMD’s Managing Director, Sean McDonagh, says: “We are hugely proud of Josie and the vital role she and her team of responders is playing in the Coronavirus crisis. It’s vitally important we focus on acts of kindness and selflessness amidst all the bad news, highlighting how we are helping one another in this time of need.”
For anyone requiring assistance with or clarification about their insurance cover, TMD Insurance Group remains very much open for business and ready to provide support when needed. Although the offices are now closed, helping to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of staff, it is not affecting the Group’s ability to conduct business, and all members of the team are fully equipped to work remotely.
If you need to speak with us, and to ensure you get through to the correct department, please use the following group direct dial numbers:
Commercial: 01992 703001
Motor Trade: 01992 703007
Accounts: 01992 703311
Private Clients: 01992 703008
Claims: 01992 703006
Or email insurance@mcdonaghs.co.uk