Doctor’s ‘bittersweet’ return from Australia as he has to self-isolate

Doctor’s ‘bittersweet’ return from Australia as he has to self-isolate

1 April 2020

A DOCTOR from Kircubbin who was stranded in Australia says he can’t wait to get back into hospital to help his colleagues during the coronavirus outbreak.

Dr Kevin McGourty is in self isolation after arriving back home on Saturday afternoon.

The 28 year-old vented his frustration on social media at not being able to fly back from Australia when the country went into lockdown during his three-week holiday.

Dr McGourty normally works between the Acute Medical Unit and Accident and Emergency Department at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald.

He told the Recorder that he is staying with his sister in Belfast while he self isolates and described his homecoming as “bittersweet”.

“I cannot believe that I have made it back to Northern Ireland,” he said. “I just want to get back [to the hospital] and help out, that’s all I want to do.

“Yes, it is a scary time for us all but I don’t think we would be in the job that we are in if we didn’t want to go and help. All my best friends are nurses and doctors so I feel bad that I’m not there helping them.”

Dr McGourty made headlines last week when he spoke of the plight of other young people from the North and South who were at risk of becoming infected with  the virus in Australia.

Warning that the situation was at “boiling point” and the airports “catastrophic”, Dr McGourty called on both the UK and Irish governments to act quickly.

He said: “I met hundreds of young men and women who have lost their jobs, homes and sources of income.

“They face homelessness and real starvation. Some have even been threatened with detainment if they remain here without a visa.

“The embassies understandably have never faced such demand for aid here, and yesterday [March 25] were unable to advise on shelter or food/water, which meant people were left with no lifelines or hope. They have told us that they have received more than 6,000 emails requesting aid or help to return home. It’s truly an emergency.

“As a doctor I am incredibly concerned for the safety and the physical health of our Irish/UK brothers and sisters as the pandemic starts to claim lives here.”

While Dr McGourty was fortunately enough to be staying with family in Australia, he was not as affected as the other young people he was speaking up for on their behalf.

However, in his eagerness to get back to his hospital, he got up every day at 6am to go to the airport in order to try and get a flight back.

Dr McGourty, who qualified in 2015,  said that he had received some online comments about him travelling during the spread of the virus, but admitted he was caught unawares as many others were.

He said: “I have received some messages from people telling me I was stupid for going abroad within the past month given the impending pandemic, and yes, I completely agree, it was probably reckless looking back.

“If I can be completely honest, I didn’t expect things to turn out this bad so suddenly in Australia. I had been completely burnt out recently from long working hours and exams and I really needed some time off.”

However, the medic said he is glad to be back home and is up for the challenge that he and his colleagues will face.

“The weeks ahead are daunting but believe me when I say we have the best of the best looking after us and our families on the frontline,” he said.

“I am so proud of my selfless friends and families working in the NHS. Believe me when I say this isn’t a job for any of us, it’s our passion to help those who need it and to protect those who are vulnerable.”