Some of our #UHDBheroes explain what life is like on a COVID-19 unit
We’ve been speaking to three UHDB nurses working in one of our COVID-19 assessment areas to gain an insight into how the outbreak has impacted them.
Kayley Page, Emily Marriot and Caitlyn Barke all care for Coronavirus patients on the Combined Assessment Unit, which is based at Royal Derby Hospital.
The trio do a fantastic job caring for our patients on the unit, which is used to assess and monitor medical and surgical patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
To help gain a better understanding of what life is like for our amazing colleagues and to underline the important message to the public to help us help you by staying at home, we’ve asked Kayley, Emily and Caitlyn a few questions:
- Can you describe a typical day working with COVID-19 patients?
- What is more difficult about the job now than before?
- How do you feel about the support that NHS staff have received from the public? Does it make a difference?
- What are you doing to cope with the situation and to de-stress?
- Do you have a message for the public?
Kayley Page has been working as a Registered Nurse at RDH for 18 months
- Working on an assessment area is different every day and the work varies from one shift to the next, so you never quite know what is going to happen that day.
- It has been challenging working on a COVID-19 ward, as the patients tend to become acutely unwell quickly, but apart from that we still care for the patients as we would any other patients. It is so important to ensure that you keep yourself up to date with new policies and procedures. When the Coronavirus pandemic first started, there was something new every shift and it was hard to keep up, but you listen and learn quickly.
- The support from the public has been overwhelming and sometimes unexpected, as we just see this as us doing our job. Caring for patients with infections is part of our usual work – it's our bread and butter. Nursing is not a job that you go in to for the money or glamour, it is a vocation!
- Coping with the situation is hard, especially if you have cared for really unwell patients. Working 11.5 hours can be tiring, especially with the PPE that we have to wear to keep us safe. The masks make you feel hot and closed in but they’re so important in keeping both yourself and others safe. I make sure that I speak to my family and friends every day. We are fortunate to have the NHS and we should look after it.
- Thank you for all the support and donations. It has been overwhelming at times but means so much. Please look after one another and keep doing what you are doing by staying at home. Keep safe!
Emily Marriot has been a qualified nurse for one year; working on the Medical Assessment Unit
- I love my job and love caring for people.
- Working on a COVID-19 ward can be tiring, both emotionally and physically. You can feel tired after your shift because of all of the PPE that we have to wear. It makes every task take longer but it is what we are here to do. You can also feel emotionally drained after your shift, as you are caring for patients who are scared and worried. It is important that we reassure them that we will take care for them and look after them as if they were your own relative.
- The support has been brilliant and the clapping reduced me to tears. It makes you feel that you have done a worthwhile job.
- I cope with the situation by relaxing on my days off and doing things that I like doing, like reading in the garden and baking. I also video call my family every day.
- My message would be to stay at home and that we will get through this and we will see you on the other side.
Caitlyn Barke has been working as a registered nurse at RDH for 18 months
- The patients are acutely unwell and so scared, so it is our job to reassure them. It is tiring wearing the masks and goggles but you do it to keep yourself and others safe. The hardest part though is telling relatives bad news over the phone, knowing that they can’t come in like they normally would. It is heart breaking.
- I find the support incredible and overwhelming.
- I have moved out of my house to keep my parents safe but know that I am doing the right thing. It helps to be positive and to relax on my days off.
- My message would be to be positive and look after your families and friends. Be thankful that you can stay at home.