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Sarah Noble Head of midwifery , South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust
‘ Having a baby even in normal times is life-changing but in 2020 , women faced additional challenges : being cared for by staff in PPE ; smiles only seen through people ’ s eyes ; new families not being able to celebrate their precious new arrival with extended family and friends . We have tried to retain the joy and excitement of new life by ensuring every decision – especially the diffi cult ones – place people at the centre , refl ecting what matters to them , and humanising care . If I am a star , I am surrounded by bigger stars . Midwives day in , day out have continued to wrap care around women and have been there for each other , not knowing where or when the journey will be over . I am inspired every day by the kindness and determination of my maternity colleagues and the power of a birthing woman .’
Cazz Broxton ANP and transition lead , child and adolescent mental health services ( CAMHS )
‘ My usual role as CAMHS transitions lead is to support young adults , their families and colleagues in considering clinical needs beyond their involvement in children and young people ’ s services . During the pandemic , I have continued with my usual casework via Teams , WhatsApp , phone calls and face-to-face appointments with masks and social distance . I also offer clinical and safeguarding supervision via Teams . It has been challenging in terms of sensitive management of emotive subjects and the emotional safety of staff . I have worked hard to be flexible and responsive , advocating the best service provision and working conditions , and championing for young adults to get the right support .’
Laura Clifford Community matron , adult community healthcare services , Northamptonshire NHS Healthcare Foundation Trust
been an immensely challenging time .’
‘ We have had to adapt to ensure a continued service to vulnerable patients in their own homes . We created a care home task force made up of community nursing staff across the county , helping to support care homes struggling with Covid-19 and issues such as staff anxiety , PPE , guidance and staff training . We wouldn ’ t have usually gone into nursing homes but the project was inclusive of all care providers . None of [ this ] would have been possible without the support from our amazing nursing teams . It ’ s through the hard work and determination of those teams that we ’ ve been able to achieve what we have , during what has
Sara Petronijevich Practice nurse , West Sussex
‘[ At the start of the pandemic ], face-to-face appointments for patients with a chronic disease ceased and the nurse practitioners began telephone consultations . The leg ulcer clinic changed from a fast-paced two-person appointment , to a longer appointment with one nurse to reduce exposure , because the patients tend to be the higher-risk cohort . We altered the structure to allow time for cleaning in between , asked patients to come to the back door , checked their temperature , and asked them to wear a mask . Immunisation clinics also changed . Parents were nervous about attending but we spaced appointments so they were never in the waiting room , the room was cleaned and all parents wore masks . I ’ ve been proud to work in a proactive surgery that supports patients .’
Emma Manuel Lead clinical college nurse , St John ’ s College , University of Cambridge
‘ In a normal term , 26 nurses support the students , staff and fellows of the 31 Cambridge colleges . Our students total around 20,000 living in college grounds , or in housing supplied by the colleges or privately rented accommodation . During the lockdown , there were around 4,000 students living in Cambridge because this was their only home or travel restrictions meant they were unable to leave . It was heartbreaking to see others leave with their cars piled high , not knowing when they could return , their dreams and plans on hold indefi nitely . College nurses have been at the forefront of supporting self-isolating , house-isolating and shielding members of our colleges as well as offering remote support , through telephone or video consultations . I am immensely proud to be a nurse and working with truly amazing people .’
Anthony Johnson Health visitor in Tower Hamlets , east London , and lead organiser for Nurses United
‘ As lead organiser of Nurses United , my priorities in the pandemic have been doing what we can to help nurses . There ’ s always been urgency when dealing with problems in the NHS . I ’ m proud that Nurses United were among the first people to think that PPE was going to be an issue and come up with a process to monitor that . I ’ m proud that people can get equipment through us . I ’ m proud that when it seemed like the Government wasn ’ t going to monitor healthcare workers ’ deaths , we made sure people weren ’ t forgotten . In a nursing sense , I ’ m proud that the pandemic shows how important we are . We ’ re still in a situation where lots of us feel undervalued and in a precarious predicament . Despite that , nurses stepped up and met the challenge . We ’ re a caring profession .’
Cath Pierce Advanced nurse practitioner , Stockport , Greater Manchester
‘ Covid-19 has meant we have had to change how we communicate . Now we are most often a voice on a phone or a face on a screen . I have only been at my practice for seven months so to many I am still a stranger . Without the person sitting in front of me , I am unable to pick up on non-verbal cues . I almost feel like I am blindfolded . It has been stressful working this way , although it works better than I thought it would . Patients are not having to alter their day to attend an appointment , and neither of us get stressed about running behind schedule as patients are advised they will get a call in the morning or afternoon . To me , all nurses are stars . No matter what is thrown at us , we pull together to adapt and survive .’
Sarah O ’ Donnell Lead practice nurse in West Yorkshire and lead of the General Practice Nurse Student Nurse Network ( GPN SNN )
‘ The GPN SNN team are still working together to share information and give support through Twitter for student nurses , practice nurses and newly qualifi ed nurses . We are also sending out links to help people with their mental health , work stress and to support people who are struggling . Sometimes this is just a brief chat to help people not feel so isolated . We are also promoting what all the fantastic nurses are doing in their practices while in the midst of the pandemic . I feel that communication with the team of nurses in my practice and the clinical team overall is very effective . We also have a doctor who is keeping everyone in the loop with emails with all the relevant news and updates , including self-care .’
Winter 2021 nursinginpractice . com