Published on: 3 April 2020

 

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Hi everyone, I’m delighted to be your guest blogger this week.

As the Trust’s most senior nurse, it gives me immense pride to see my fellow nurses, midwives and therapists being so professional and compassionate in this really difficult period.  I am also humbled by the way all staff in our Trust – right across the board from apprentices to the CEO – has responded to the situation and is supporting one another.  The main objective for all of us is to keep providing safe, personal and effective care, and we are.

There are so many aspects of the pandemic that are new to us – suspension of visiting; working from home; perhaps doing a different job temporarily – but it seems that everyone is determined to do their bit and our patients and communities are grateful for that.

It is a very stressful situation for many of us, probably all of us to be honest, so I’m really pleased that our spiritual care team are as involved as everyone else.  They are providing a much needed oasis at RBTH where staff can take time out, reflect, relax. I’d urge any member of staff to use this facility, it’s lovely.

 

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The team is developing a similar facility in all of our sites – your mental and emotional health and wellbeing is just as important as your physical health.  I think most of you reading this would agree this is a pretty stressful time and is highly likely to get more so.  Thank you too to our occupational health and wellbeing team who I know are working flat out to support the workforce.

Another particularly cruel aspect of the virus is the fact that positive patients are sometimes passing away without their loved ones around them. This goes against our instincts and our commitment to personal care, yet it is essential for us to provide safe care.  It gives me enormous peace of mind to know that our teams are doing everything possible to comfort and care for both patients and loved ones before, during and after that most emotional of moments.  We‘ve had feedback from families confirming this and saying what a difference this has made.

Well, that’s it from me. Please do take any opportunities you have to rest, the coming weeks are going to be difficult, but together, team ELHT can and will deliver.

Best Wishes

Chris​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​