Back in uniform

The night before my induction, I was slightly apprehensive. I was worried that I might be too ‘rusty’ and I didn’t know what to expect. However, my nerves dissipated after my first day and I felt much more confident. 

In the morning, we had an induction to the clinical pathway and received training on the IT systems, learning how to document patient care. I then spent the afternoon shadowing a nurse who had been working there for a couple of weeks.

These appointment-only centres have been set-up so patients with worsening COVID-19 symptoms can be seen in the community helping to make sure that hospital capacity is used for those with the most serious symptoms.  

Most of the patients we saw were in a slightly worse state than they had been a week or so before. Some of them needed hospital care and some were sent home to continue self-isolating, with the advice to call NHS 111 again if their condition worsened. Nursing staff and doctors were also able to provide those who needed it with medication to take home or a prescription.

I was really impressed by how organised everything was and the camaraderie was great. At the moment, there’s not enough staff for the centre to run 24/7 but that’s what it’s working towards with the health board bringing in bank staff, students and people from the NMC’s new temporary register to support this.

It feels good to be doing something valuable. When you see how scared and anxious the patients are, there is a real sense of satisfaction in being able to help them. The centre feels like a safe environment for nursing staff with good systems in place, the right personal protective equipment available and support for staff. But I know that’s not the case in some places.

I feel strongly that returning to practice or joining the temporary register is a personal decision. My normal job as a health improvement lead is classified as non-essential during the COVID-19 emergency and most of my work is on pause for the time being.

I made the decision to do this because I’m healthy and I’ve got the skills to help. But I wouldn’t have done it if there was a high risk to myself or my family. Everyone’s circumstances are different, and you need to make the decision that’s right for you. 

I also feel that my role as a rep is really valuable to members right now. As well as my shifts at the centre, I still have seven and a half hours’ worth of facility time each week to carry out my work as a steward. With face-to-face meetings and non-urgent cases suspended, most of my work is supporting members with concerns about inappropriate risk assessments and redeployment. It’s nice to hear my support is helping at this difficult time.