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Images from research and development teams

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Images from research and development teams

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Submitted by Linda

1. Last year was a struggle to have somewhere to sit and eat lunch as there is limited space at Parkview, we often had to eat lunch at our desk. Love Your Hospital provided us with a patio set which was gratefully received and gave everyone a boost. We enjoyed the last part of the summer with our new furniture that we can now use for many years to come.

2. Everyone’s morale was running a bit low by the end of the year and the usual department Christmas celebrations were going to be quite different if any at all. I have  lovely memories  of trying to lift everyone’s spirits by organising the ‘office party’, which I knew it was going to be a big challenge due to the restrictions in place.

3. I set to work and  had a great fun by making a Research and Development post box so that we could put donations of our chosen charities in an envelope instead of a ‘Secret Santa’.  We raised £175 in total and two charities were the lucky recipients who were picked at random. I also used my creative skills to make an advent calendar so that everyone could bring a treat for all to share.To round the year off I created a  ‘You’re a Christmas Star’ award, where everyone could nominate their colleague and write a few nice words about them.

4. This is a memory that we probably all share in the department, having a unique experience of working in the SIREN study clinic and getting to meet so many members of staff and finding out what their roles involve and how they have adapted during the pandemic.  Some have shared their personal stories of why research is so important to them which also highlights how research active we are in the Trust.

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It was a beautiful moment within a very weird situation…

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It was a beautiful moment within a very weird situation…

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Submitted by Marianne
Sonographer

In the early days of the pandemic in spring 2020, all partners were banned from attending scans and antenatal appts. This meant we had a lot of very extra anxious women and people, especially those having their first baby. Most felt that having their partner present at their scans was a really important part of their pregnancy so they were saddened by this, but understood why.

One morning I had an extremely nervous woman who had had a previous miscarriage, so was so teary and nervous. I did the best I could to reassure her and talk to her before the ultrasound, but it was clear she really missed her partner’s support. On scanning the first thing we found was that she was expecting twins!!

It was a lovely moment. She couldn’t believe it so once we were finished she ran upstairs and outside to show her partner the scan photo. As he wasn’t present she was worried he wouldn’t believe her! It was a beautiful moment within a very weird situation.

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Submitted by Sara
Multidisciplinary Meeting Coordinator

When lockdown started, all the coordinators were told to work from home. I was asked but I felt my time as the assistant was much better needed in the offices and looking after the day to day, like making sure we had milk for our oncologist’s much needed cups of tea and coffee!

Then in July, I was joined by another two members of staff and happily enjoying office life before the second wave kicked in, which meant we could only have two people in the office at one time.

What has this year done to me? I know what my faults are, worked with that, kept my strength going and not given up. I’ve helped anybody who had wanted it in the department. I’ve respected other members of staff who were upset or stressed. Those of us in offices were like our own little family, keeping each other going when we were feeling down.

I feel proud to be a an NHS admin worker.

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Submitted by Sarah
Palliative Care Support Worker

March 16 2020

I have been coming down with something for a couple of days now.  On the bus to work, I was desperate not to need to cough as that is frowned upon currently.  I am a little chesty and my voice resembles a Dalek.  I’m sure it can’t be Covid as we have been told to look out for a temperature and continuous cough – I have neither.  Left work a little earlier, hopefully to feel better tomorrow.

March 17 2020

Attended University virtually as unable to go onto campus as it’s been closed from this afternoon.  Still unwell but no cough or temperature.

March 18 2020

Very chesty and given antibiotics over the phone by GP as unable to go into the surgery in person due to the outbreak.  Told to self isolate (along with my husband and sons) for 2 weeks which just made me cry.  The thought of not being there to help my colleagues, especially at the moment is too much!  My manager made me feel better by saying there will be plenty of work for me to do once I can go back and that the expected surge has not yet happened.

March 23 2020

We have gone into lockdown, people are being advised to work from home, only go out for essential shopping one person at a time from a household.  The government are putting things in place to arrange shopping deliveries to the most vulnerable and financial assistance to those that are unable to work and the businesses at risk from the lockdown.  All pubs, bars, restaurants and virtually everything else has been shut.

March 26 2020

I finished my antibiotics yesterday and already overnight, my chest feels tight and full of fluid.  There is a crackle when I breathe.  GP put me straight onto stronger antibiotics to treat suspected pneumonia.  Tonight was the first clap for NHS and Keyworkers at 8pm.  Most of my neighbours stood at their doors clapping and banging saucepans with wooden spoons to show their appreciation at this time,  there was even the odd firework.  It was really touching and I managed to stand there and watch it all with a few tears of frustration that I wasn’t doing my part in this.

March 27 2020

For the last two days I have had the classic Covid 19 symptoms of temperature, cough, loss of taste and smell, nausea and exhaustion.  I am unable to be tested to check if this is the case as the test has not been released yet and once it is released, will only be able to check for current Covid 19 rather than if I have had it.  I’ll never know although it may not be of benefit as there is no proof it will come back.

During the 2 weeks I missed work, myself, my husband and my teenage boys were all in the house together.  Not being able to go out was frustrating and boring but we did manage to find a way to all just live together calmly.  My eldest was furloughed from his part-time job.  He has autism and learning disabilities and the change to his routine has been awful for him.  My husband was able to go back to work as a commercial window cleaner as he is able to socially distance at work. Once I was able to return to work, my youngest was offered a key worker placement at his school, much to his delight as all his friends are home!  This included going to school during the Easter holidays when we should all have been in Turkey for a fortnight.  He soon realised that he was actually one of the lucky ones as having the school day gave him structure and he was able to get support from his teachers and make new friends.

April 2, 2020

Back to work with the added bonus of free parking right by my office courtesy of the school next door. This is a relief as I have no need to use public transport to work.  It was great to see my colleagues again and find out that things were busy but manageable while I was off.  It was very tricky to try and stay two metres away from everyone while working but we tried our best. I proudly stood at my door for the clap for carers this evening knowing I was back to being able to play a part in the running of the hospital. Our way of working has changed and we are looking at ways to support the people we usually would, remotely instead of face to face.

April 2020

Back in the swing of things, my routine is now work/home/work/home and so on with the odd trip to the supermarket thrown in. There are special times NHS workers can shop in store but to be honest, these are busier than other times so I avoid these. Queueing to get into a supermarket is strange and I try to avoid shopping at all costs.

Our way of working has continued to evolve – we are phoning relatives that can’t come in to the hospital to offer them much needed support. There is an email address set up for relatives to send in emails that we can print and deliver to their loved ones.  Volunteers have been making little pairs of fabric hearts by the bag load – one for the patient and one for the relative to help them feel connected.  We have been able to access Ipads donated by the parents of the school next door and use them so that patients and video call their families, in some cases to say a final goodbye.

The school have also been giving us snacks, toiletries and groceries each day as a thank you to the NHS and have set up a staff room with hot and cold drinks for us to use anytime we want to get away for a bit. The support from the community towards our hospital at this time has been overwhelming.

May 2020

Although the spike in cases within the hospital is not as big as predicted, the amount of patients on our caseload is creeping up.  People who were avoiding coming into hospital previously are starting to have no choice but to be admitted for urgent treatment.

Staff who were redeployed are starting to go back to their usual roles and the roads are getting busier each day with people needing to go to work.

Calls to families are not constant but most are in depth and take some time. Relatives are grateful to speak to someone and often they alone, unable to see their families and friends. I am in the lovely position of being able to spend my time listening to them and seeing where there may be opportunities for me to help or signpost for further support such as the community palliative care teams or GP’s. I feel privileged and proud when I am able to help in any way.

May 13 2020

Lockdown is being eased a little from today with some people able to return to work and people being able to exercise as much as they like during the day. The surge of cars on the road is incredible and I find myself leaving very early for work incase the roads have reverted back to their usual chaos.  Although busy, I manage to arrive at work ridiculously early – a bit too organised this morning! There is talk of further lockdown if cases go up again so the next few weeks will be a bit uncertain with a wait and see approach.

June 2020

A new development is that NHS staff are able to be tested to see if they have the Coronovirus antibodies, which would indicate we had been affected by Covid-19 previously.

Here is my test result: SARS-COV-2 antibody Total – DETECTED

Although I had suspected I had this in March when I fell ill, it is reassuring to know for definite. At the moment this doesn’t mean anything but hopefully as more research is carried out, there may be signs of whether the antibodies help with immunity to this condition.  The recovery takes a long time and I have been given a steroid inhaler to use for a month as my lungs aren’t completely back to normal, hopefully this will give me the boost I need to fully recover.

July 2020

Things have settled down for now…we are expecting a potential spike in cases later in the year.  Currently very few people are being treated for Covid-19 within the hospital trust. Working part at home and part in the office has become part of the routine and has been fine. I am back on the wards supporting patients and their families as it should be. I feel so much better being able to add this clinical work to my role again. Families are still only able to visit at certain times and only one person visiting at a time but this is so much better than no visitors at all.

Shops, bars and restaurants are all mainly open again with new procedures in place to keep people safe and next week there will be a requirement for the public to wear masks in all shops. I have stocked up on bandana’s as a cheap version of a mask ready to make my family look like bandits whenever we need to do any shopping!

I am still suffering from the after effects of being unwell earlier in the year, in particular being breathless at times and extremely tired, especially towards the end of each week. I have been able to see some friends by them visiting my garden or me theirs which has been nice and feels a little more normal. I am still weary about too much contact with people and am verging on caution.

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A day in the life of an ITU nurse during Covid

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A day in the life of an ITU nurse during Covid

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Submitted by Rachel
Intensive Care Nurse

My alarm goes off at 6:00am but I have already been up for hours worrying about the day ahead. I get up, shower, eat breakfast, and put on my game face for the day. Each day I leave the house, my fiancé tells me he is proud of me but I can see the look of concern in his eyes – he knows how much I am struggling, despite my efforts to reassure him that I am fine while trying to convince myself too.

On my arrival to work, I put on my scrubs and go to the coffee area where I am greeted by the happy smiling faces of my colleagues – our smiles are our mask, behind them we are all tired, emotionally drained and near to burnout. This is the calm before the storm, our safe haven and precious moment of normality before the shift begins.

I see my colleagues preparing themselves for the day ahead, each one with a positivity and motivation to see the day through and help the patients that need us at our best. It’s in these moments that I count myself lucky to work with such an amazing group of people.

ITU nursing is based on the foundation of one nurse to one patient due to the high level of attention and oversight needed to effectively care for the critically ill. Today I am allocated two ventilated patients. The unit is ordinarily made up of 12 critical care beds and today they are all full.

The influx of critically ill Covid patients has overwhelmed the unit and we have therefore increased capacity by eight additional beds, which are also full. This has become our ‘new normal’.

My patients are both in the extra capacity Covid area, meaning that I have to work my 12 and a half hour shift in full PPE. We joke that we are putting on our armour, but that is exactly what it is. It is protecting all of us from the virus as we work and provides us with reassurance that our loved ones will also be safe when we get home.

This takes us between five and ten minutes and starts with a full-length gown, one pair of surgical gloves, a tight fitting facemask, a hair net, a visor, and a second pair of gloves. By the time we have finished we are already hot and do not know when we will next be able to have a drink and a well needed break. We check each other’s PPE, make sure we’re safe, give each other a reassuring look and enter the Covid area.

We already know that we are short staffed, so we are apprehensive about the challenges that lie ahead. I take handover from the night nurse and my concerns become a reality, as one of my ventilated patients has had a very difficult night and is now on 100% oxygen due to a sudden deterioration. He is waiting to be reviewed by a doctor while my other patient, who is seemingly doing well, remains on the ventilator but is off sedation and is requiring a lot of reassurance due to his delirium and confusion. I take a deep breath and start my shift.

I start by assessing my deteriorating patient and ring the doctor to inform them that I have made some ventilator changes to stabilise him, but they still require an urgent review. During this time, my colleague informs me that one of her patients is

deteriorating rapidly, needs support for his breathing and the doctors will be coming in to ventilate him immediately. Despite how busy I am, I know that she needs my support, so I help her to get ready for the procedure and then help the team to ventilate him. Once the patient is ventilated the realisation hits, as it often has during the pandemic, that we are further outside of our normal nurse to patient ratio – we are pushed beyond our limits and juggling multiple life and death situations. We are stretched and stressed but we know that our patients need us, so we remain calm and continue.

The doctor has now come to review my deteriorating patient and decides that the only way to improve his situation is to prone him, which involves turning the patient on to their stomach to improve their breathing. Due to the complexity of critical care patients this requires a skilled team of people. The plan was for them to come in an hour, which gave me just enough time to have my breakfast; it is now 12:00pm.

Coming out of the Covid area and taking off the full PPE provides the much-needed relief that we all long for. These 30 minutes give me time to collect my thoughts, eat some food and drink some water, although not too much because I don’t want to risk needing the toilet as soon as I have to go back. I feel refreshed and ready to go back into the Covid area to prone my patient.

Back in my PPE and back in the Covid area, I am happy to find that theatre and recovery staff have come to provide help and support for the rest of the shift. I cannot express enough how grateful we have been for the support provided by our colleagues throughout the hospital, all leaving their normal work environment to selflessly enter an extremely challenging and demanding situation. This is representative of the spirit of the NHS and the country during this time – everybody coming together and helping each other. The proning team have also arrived and have performed the difficult task of proning my patient. Thankfully, we see an instant improvement, which fills us all with hope and relief now that the patient is more stable.

With my patient showing signs of improvement I now need to care for my other patient, who is currently being looked after by one of the assisting theatre nurses. Seeing this patient reminds me that he was only where my other patient was weeks before, requiring high levels of oxygen and also having to be proned. However, he is now much improved and we are in the process of beginning to wean him from the ventilator. The contrast between my patients highlights to me that our hard work pays off, and seeing them get better provides great satisfaction and a much-needed boost. It is these glimmers of hope that help to maintain our optimism during these difficult shifts and through what has been the most difficult time in our careers. It reminds us why we became nurses and why we keep coming in, even when we are feeling at our limit.

Clinical caring is, however, just one aspect of my shift, with another large part being to connect patients and their loved ones while visits were suspended. This for me is also the most challenging part of my day, as there is no training that can prepare you for the emotions felt when listening to relatives desperately pleading for their loved ones to get better, knowing that they cannot be there to provide the comfort of a held hand, a kiss on the forehead, and a familiar face. For my proned patient, I held the iPad to his face and listened to his family sing to him, tell him about the football results, tell him about their day, and express hope that he would be back with them soon, throughout which he was sedated and unable to respond. I found this extremely distressing to see, however, I put on a brave face and reminded myself of the importance of these calls for the patient and their family.

As the end of the shift draws closer, I hand my patients over to the night team, thankful that the patients are more stable than when the day began. I thank my team and remind myself that, although the day has been extremely challenging, we have looked after and supported one another, we have provided the best quality care we can to our patients, and are hopefully one shift closer to the end of the pandemic.

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These are memories I shall never forgot…

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These are memories I shall never forgot…

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Submitted by Jacqui
Senior Health Care Assistant

At first, the adrenaline was high as we all poured into the unknown. Each day the rules, PPE, symptoms and fatalities changed and increased. Sadness throughout the staff, supporting those who are struggling, and all in suffocating PPE, which I found unbearable most of the time…. but we have no choice, we plod on doing the best we can with all we have within us.

Families forbidden to visit (for their own safety and that of their friends, family and the public). This was what I found more upsetting by imagining it to be my daughter in one of the beds and being told I could not see her or be with her in her final days/hours.

My heart brakes for the families who have gone through this.

At work I would keep busy, but at home I have shed many tears through sadness and exhaustion. I managed to stay strong and continue my support all the way through the pandemic.

Eventually the adrenaline faded and the thought of continuing for unknown amount of months became more and more daunting. Going to work became a heavy burden in many ways, but in this job we are here for all situations and we are needed not only for our patients but also for our colleagues.

There was no light at the end of the tunnel as we worked in a psychological darkness. Then finally after just over a year…..the numbers dropped, and the light became visible.

These are memories I shall never forgot for as long as I live.

God Bless Us All

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St Richard’s Hospital Laundry Covid Story

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St Richard’s Hospital Laundry Covid Story

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Submitted by Laundry team at St Richard’s
Laundry

In early 2020 with the Covid virus starting to spread throughout the population there was much concern and anxiousness within the department as to what might be, plans were being discussed for ‘worst case scenarios’ to prepare for an increase in work volumes plus the possibility of a significant reduction in work force and so on.

Thankfully during the ‘first wave’ of the infection none of these measures were required with no confirmed Covid cases within the departments, staff and only a few having to ‘self isolate’ as a precautionary measure.

During this time there was a decrease in work volumes due in part to the preparations the trust was putting in place to prepare for a significant increases in Covid cases being treated within the trusts hospitals, things at this time seamed ‘surreal’ as what we as a department were expecting to happen and what was happening differed.

The next few months were similar to the previous as work volumes remained fairly consistent and there were no confirmed cases within the department, over this time staff members were offered a blood test for Covid antibodies this offered staff some relief and reassurance as results were coming back negative.

Things however were soon to change with the first confirmed case of the Covid virus within a laundry staff member being towards the end of 2020, this also resulted in two further staff members having to ‘self isolate’ immediately in line with NHS ‘Test and Trace’ requirements.

As Christmas approached and infection rates within the population were rapidly increasing  with the ‘second wave’ work loads began to significantly increase with some staff members having to ‘self isolate’, this posed some logistical challenges for management and staff alike especially with the work loading requirements for the Christmas period.

It was also at this time that several members of staff within transport departed caught the Covid virus with  some further staff  having to ‘self isolate’ as a result, unfortunately in early 2021 one of the transport team sadly passed away as a result of contracting the virus, this was a ‘wake up call’ to all in the laundry and transport department causing great sadness and concern for everyone.

It was the beginning of January that all staff were offered their first dose of the COovid vaccination causing a sense of relief among staff members, with most of them having the vaccination.

It was also at this time the trust tested all staff within department for the COVID virus (staff were self testing before this), unfortunately as a result of this one of the laundry staff members tested positive leading to a further eight members of the laundry staff having to ‘self isolate’, this coupled with existing staff and management ‘self isolating’ caused some major concerns and logistical problems for the remaining managers and staff, fortunately the army were ‘called in’ to cover the staff shortages which was a tremendous help over this very difficult and concerning time.

Over this very challenging, tough and worrying time all of the management and staff within the departments have pulled together working weekends, nights, early starts and later finishes to ensure all work requirements were met.

With the majority of us within the department now having had our second dose of the vaccination and the relaxing of certain ‘lock down’ measures we all look forward to a return to ‘normality’ and better times.

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Submitted by Allison
Head of Supplies

My team was responsible for receiving and distributing PPE. It still seems incredible how many items passed through stores at Royal Sussex County Hospitals and Princess Royal Hospital.

We even had to use the AMEX stadium concourse for PPE storage for several months. And when they decided to hold a trial football match there at the end of August we had 130 pallets to move out very quickly!

The early days of the pandemic were very challenging as obviously PPE was a very emotive subject at the time as well.

Our team worked really hard and I am so proud of them.

I also have special memories of working with my husband – he works for the Sussex Community Trust and was also responsible for their PPE.

It made a challenging year more bearable having someone at home that completely understood what was going on and we were able to work weekend shifts together.

I always wanted to cycle to work but somehow in the week it was always too much effort so when I worked weekends I always cycled in to make it a fun experience.

2020 – a year never to be forgotten.

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The night before my first shift, I couldn’t sleep…

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The night before my first shift, I couldn’t sleep…

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Submitted by Alexandra
Macmillan Associate Clinical Nurse Specialist

I started in my new role as a Macmillan Associate Clinical Nurse Specialist in January 2020, but when the first wave of Covid-19 hit us, I was redeployed to Critical Care in March 2020.

I had previous experience in Neuro Intensive Care and although this was a very unsettling move, I was keen to support my colleagues at the hospital and help care for our patients. I wanted to do my bit.

A clinical skills refresher course was provided by the Trust prior to redeployment, and there was a great sense of comradery during the session I attended.

The nurses attending had varying levels of experience, ranging from newly qualified staff, to recalled nurses in retirement, ward nurses, matrons and other senior members of the nursing team.

It was truly heartening to see nurses from all specialities, within all levels of nursing, coming together to prepare for returning to clinical work- a daunting prospect for those who hadn’t worked clinically for a long time, and for those who were going to be working in an unfamiliar environment with a new team.

The night before my first shift, I couldn’t sleep, and had visions of caring for multiple ventilated patients and being overwhelmed with the workload, but I needn’t have worried. The staff couldn’t have been more supportive and were so patient, answering all my questions.

I returned to my post in June, but was redeployed again in early January 2021 as the next wave hit.

Critical care was even busier this time, but patients were treated with the same level of dignity and respect, and I have lost count of the number of kind and compassionate interactions I witnessed between patients and staff.

On a particularly busy shift, wearing full PPE, I was caring for an elderly patient, who had just lost her son to Covid. She was unable to attend his funeral due to being too unwell in hospital herself. There were no words, but we held hands and simply cried. This lady sadly died a few days later, but I will never forget her.

I would like to thank all the Critical care staff  for their support during these times.

They had their own jobs to do, but with the added pressure of overseeing less experienced staff who were caring for critically unwell patients, with an unknown disease.

I also greatly appreciated our Critical Care Matron, Lucy Pitt, whose weekly updates were honest and uplifting during those uncertain times.

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Memories of strength, courage, bravery and determination…

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Memories of strength, courage, bravery and determination…

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Submitted by Alex
Maternity Care Assistant

I started working at Worthing Hospital at the beginning of March 2020. Covid hadn’t impacted us at that stage.

I went to my induction at St Richard’s in Chichester and completed my training. Within two weeks of starting, we were wearing masks for 12.5 hours a day and had restricting visiting times to name a few changes.

Everyone I have worked with have been amazing and I have seen team spirit increase within all the teams. We have all had to work with the adverse conditions and we have all come together.

I have also seen such strength from the women we are caring for. They have had babies in such scary times and in scary situations with not being able to have partners all the time there here and they have all coped with such bravery and strength.

It’s amazing how women can have a baby and also deal with having limited visitors and visiting times. All of the babies that have been born during this pandemic will have such a story to tell when they are older. We all will have memories of this time and I for one will have memories of strength, courage, bravery and determination.

I have always wanted to work for the NHS it has been a goal of mine since I left school. Unfortunately, it took until the age of 32 to accomplish that, but I have never been prouder to work for such an incredible organisation.

I really hope these hard times have made people even more aware of how incredibly hard the staff work and how we all value our NHS.

I am thankful for every single person that works or volunteers for our NHS up and down the country.

We are all amazing!

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Reflections from Cardiac Specialist Nurses

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Reflections from Cardiac Specialist Nurses

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Submitted by ‘Dad’s Army’

We are a group of Cardiac Specialist Nurses based on or around ACU, many of us have not worked in ward areas for more than 20 years.

During Covid we have tried to keep offering our Cardiac Specialist Services as much as possible, albeit in a very different way using telephone and virtual methods.

During the second wave we were acutely aware of the pressure on our ACU ward which had become an Acute Covid Area. We teamed up and set out to offer whatever help we could. This was a scary prospect knowing that for some of us our experience of current IT systems used in ward areas was very limited, and many of us had been out of ward based work for some time.

We set up a WhatsApp group so we could communicate with each other and coordinate our support and we called ourselves ‘Dad’s Army’. We arrived on our ACU at St Richards on a daily basis and rolled up our sleeves to help where we could. We were working with an amazing team that were always very supportive and grateful of our help.  Seeing us going out daily to help, the Fitness Instructor attached to Cardiac Rehab offered her help too. Having never worked in a clinical area at all she was happy to turn her hand to anything that was asked of her, from stocking up trolleys  to assisting bed baths and feeding patients on NIV.

Scary at times, lots of sadness and despair was witnessed by all, but the overall sense of team spirit and satisfaction that we were able to be of use and support was the most positive, and far outweighed the negative. We would do it all again if needed but let’s hope that doesn’t happen.

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Submitted by Anonymous
Anonymous

Our hospital was the first hospital in the UK to have a patient with Covid-19 in early February 2020. At that point I got caught up in the excitement that I may walk past a camera and be on the BBC news in the background!

However, when the weeks went on and we were taken out of our usual teams, the seriousness of the virus began to dawn on me. I was with a good friend and colleague who I knew would support me and I her. We were able to lift each other’s spirits on a daily basis and together come up with innovative and creative ideas to help lift patients’ spirits.

Some of my colleagues had to shield, resulting in three months self-isolating at home. Some of my colleagues had vulnerable relatives at home and had to isolate at home for this period of time to protect them.

One day, I started to get a throbbing headache and went home to rest. I woke up later on in the evening sweating with my bones starting to ache; I knew something was wrong. I spent the next three days in bed, having a swab up my nose (tickling my brain) I was relieved to hear it was negative. I returned to work after my cough had subsided to continue working on the wards.

Coming in on the Monday after being told we were splitting into teams, I volunteered to work on the Covid-19 ward; this was because I knew I was fit and healthy and had no other vulnerable people living in my household.

The morale on the Covid-19 ward always seemed optimistic and positive with strong and talented nurses leading the way.

Having the mix of both Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists within the team supported collaborative working and my colleague and I sought the opportunity to educate others in the value of the OT.

We demonstrated the creativeness of the OT and the support we could offer those patients that had weeks in intensive care and needed graded and strategic rehab to help them manage with life after Covid-19. Thus, allowing me to reflect on Occupational Therapy as a profession and I realised that we don’t promote our role enough.

That evening I used social media platforms to promote the role of the OT in working with patients who were diagnosed or suspected Covid-19. This got hundreds of likes and was shared a number of times. This helped my own feelings about our role and I felt I helped, in a small way promote, our profession.

One of the harder days on the ward was when I was conducting a washing and dressing assessment with a 90 year old gentleman who had fallen and broken his hip, resulting in surgery having his hip pinned. He had started to make good progress, but unfortunately had been diagnosed with Covid and moved to the ward I was on. Sadly this gentleman later passed away, his family not being able to visit in his last hours of life; this is definitely the hardest part of this dreadful virus.

Many of the patients I have worked with have sadly passed away from the virus and the doctors, therapists, the palliative care nurses and the nurses on the ward have done everything they can to be with those passing away, including video calls and limited visits from family members, this makes me proud to work in the NHS.

One highlight for me was my ‘pimping the trolleys’ initiative, whereby I had a gentleman in his 70s that was falling due to high fatigue of Covid-19 and instead of a trolley, we instead provided him with a ‘BMW’, or another patient with a ‘Gin trolley’! We also used goal sheets and came up with new and different goals for patients to help them realise that they can conquer the virus themselves.

I felt empowered as a therapist and whilst sadly there where people that passed away, I also think about all the many people that fought the virus and where rehabbed back homes with their families.

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I have a little cry myself right there at the nurses station…

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I have a little cry myself right there at the nurses station…

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Submitted by Anonymous
Anonymous

I stand at the bedside, holding up an iPad so that my dying patient’s family can say goodbye to their mother, their grandmother, their auntie.There are about 11 people on the tiny screen ranging from about eight to 50 years old, all trying to keep their tears back as they talk about good memories, a few laughs managing to come through as they share their special moments with each other.I reassure them that although her eyes are closed and she is not replying, she is gently squeezing my hand to show she can hear, and she is smiling faintly at the happy memories.They talk for about 20 minutes. I can tell they’re not sure how to end the call. I gently ask the daughter if she’s OK. “Yes thank you” she replies, “I think we’ll go now”. I tell her she can call back anytime, and they all say their goodbyes.Two hours later, my patient’s son rings, telling me how upset he is that he wasn’t able to join in the iPad conversation as he is isolating at home and can’t stay in the family home with everyone else.I try to reassure him; I tell him that I am relaying all of the messages from him and his family to his dying mother, and that she is doing her best to let me know she can hear everyone’s messages of love.I offer to him the chance to have his own iPad conversation, so he can at least see his mother like the rest of the family did. His voice breaks as he declines. He thanks me for looking after his mum, and begins to cry as he hangs up the phone.I have a little cry myself right there at the nurses station. The nurse in charge, who knows what I’ve been trying to do for my patient today, comes over and gives me a hug. I cry on her shoulder for a few seconds, then a Health Care Assistant tells me a silly joke to make me laugh, and I get back to work.I’m not sure the HCA realised quite how much I really needed her to make me laugh right then, but it was the one thing that helped me carry on that heavy day.

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Submitted by Christina
Wark Clerk

So many deaths. So many, many deaths. Media was full of Government updates, advice, lockdown rules, but it seemed to apply to a world outside of the hospital, outside of what was happening everyday, in front of our eyes.

No one to hold a hand or to say goodbye at the beginning. No loved ones allowed near. Young doctors having to call next of kin to tell them that their relative had just died. Rules changing all the time.

Outside, the supermarkets were running out of everything, people were social distancing, being really careful to respect their space. Here at work, it was impossible to keep your distance, just unfeasible to work in any other way.

Overwhelming tiredness, sadness, being frightened when colleagues became ill and feeling it was only a matter of time before you succumbed too.

Team spirit, amazing people who became instant strength and stays, may never work together again, but will never forget the incredible camaraderie that got everyone through each shift.

Tears, so many tears. For what and who we’ve lost. For things we wanted to do better, differently, but just couldn’t get round Covid safely.

It’s not over, possibly it will never be “over”. It changed everything in those first few weeks, life would never be the same again.

Can kindness, thoughtfulness, gentleness and consideration continue to help us rise above all this? I would like to think so, but my sense is that people are just bored with Covid now and will start to make their own rules up…. I hope not.

For all of us who were there, who worked it, lived it, survived it or didn’t, may we never forget that we are the National Health Service, we have served as best we can. We have given our all and then we’ve given some more.

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Submitted by Chris
Patient First Senior Practitioner

In the grand scheme of things I had a somewhat small role to play throughout this pandemic, helping design the workforce hub to aid with deployment of doctors / nurses / AHP’s etc was my main contribution.

But it isn’t here or any of the work I did or did not do that my reflection is based on it’s the enormous amount of pride I felt being part of an organisation that was shown such focus and given such priority every single day. The message was clear from our leaders of the country and NHS was that we need to ensure that we the NHS are not overwhelmed with patients, we have enough support to do the thing we are best at which is save lives.

Every Thursday evening I witnessed people coming out and clapping my colleagues and I could feel the pride bursting out. Im part of this I felt. Im part of this amazing organisation with all these amazing people. Supermarkets gave us priority shopping slots. Again proud of them for thinking of us in these testing times.

I was never on the frontline feeling the emotion, the stress, the pain, the joy that those amazing colleagues of mine did all of the time but I was proud.

Proud of the NHS
Proud of the job
Proud of my colleagues
Proud just to be part of it all.

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A life changing choice: from volunteer to porter

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A life changing choice: from volunteer to porter

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Submitted by Chris
Volunteer and Duty Manager

In these unprecedented times with people struggling to try and cope, there are stories of hope and adapting.

My story is that on returning from a couple years of volunteering and travelling in Asia – I’m 61 – I returned to the UK at the start of the pandemic.

Having previously been in the hospitality industry, lockdown made that impossible to return to. Like hundreds of thousands of others, I answered the NHS call for volunteers.

Firstly in Worthing as a volunteer then over to Brighton, as a bank porter.

When I started volunteering, I went from 20, 30 then 40 hours+. At the Royal Sussex County Hospital I was offered the chance to go full time.

Having seen how incredible the work the NHS does, I jumped at the chance. Being full time the training was more involved, and included working in different departments, including Covid wards.

A complete curve ball got me into a profession that was, for me, life changing.

I look forward to going into work every day and trying to make a difference. You get to know the longer stay patients. Nothing gives a porter more pride than taking a worried, nervous patient to a procedure or scan lifting their spirits and on returning them to the ward seeing a more relaxed smiling person.

I have now been promoted to the management team but still heavily involved on portering. I think we can all see that unemployment is going to be an issue and will probably get a lot worse, my message, look at the NHS for a lasting career change. I did with no regrets.

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A journey of cancer treatment through Covid19

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A journey of cancer treatment through Covid19

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Submitted by Kate
Nurse

‘Covid19’: Not the best time to get cancer.

Not only are the struggles physical and emotional; but added ‘Covid’ restrictions reducing contact, support and challenging health care systems have wholly changed the way health care is given and received. This change is ongoing and constantly altering, in itself, adding to the problem.

My diagnosis of breast cancer in 2020 came with all those challenges and I aim to reach out to those of you who may have or think you may have a lump; or are starting treatment for breast cancer.

I want to try to ease your minds a little and give you an idea of what to expect from the perspective of someone who has gone through treatment and has come out the other side, still fighting and very glad to be alive.

Firstly, however scary it is when you find a lump, putting off going to the doctor delays the fantastic treatment that is available, which can halt or delay disease spread. Ultimately, the sooner it is tackled, the more time you have with your loved ones; so, the importance of seeing a health professional as soon as possible cannot be understated.

These ‘Covid times’ we live in can be both frustrating and frightening. It has brought about a huge change in how the health service is run and how appointment and treatments are given.

It is daunting enough to go to the hospital as a cancer patient, let alone with all the ‘Covid’ restrictions and extra tests that are put in place for our safety.

It is, however as safe as it can be, as the breast clinic and outlying departments follow strict policies and protocols to protect staff and patients alike; which is helped by us all playing our part.

‘Covid’ tests prior to every chemotherapy treatment may be tedious and undergoing appointments and treatments alone more daunting; but getting to the end of treatment without infection is a goal that makes it all more palatable.

In fact, I’m sure having social distancing for all has kept me safer and free from other potential infections during chemotherapy treatment than perhaps I would have experienced without those restrictions.

However, I have not kept myself indoors or away from my friends, as, during the whole process, I aimed to keep as fit as possible; including doing home workouts every day prior to surgery, when I absolutely couldn’t leave the house (two weeks isolation was in force prior to any surgery) I had a mastectomy and ‘axillary clearance’; all the lymph nodes from the armpit removed.

I am convinced this helped me with my recovery and after the two weeks isolation post-op, I went walking in the (very!) fresh air with one friend at a time, mixing exercise and good conversation.

I have carried on walking every day or doing exercise at home when the weather has been too bad with the theory that keeping up the exercise, however much I can do on the day, means I will have less of a hill to climb at the end and before going back to work. Also, it is so important for our mental wellbeing to be able to still see friends, even one at a time, especially when friends can’t just pop in for a cuppa.

I remember how daunting my first chemotherapy session was; I had read all the information given to me and all the side effects loomed menacingly, even though I knew that I was unlikely to experience all of them; they had to be mentioned even so; and had been fully disclosed by the Oncologist.

The first dose of each treatment, were scary because I had no idea how they would affect me personally and for how long. Once that first round of each type was over, I could deal with the side effects I experienced because I had more idea what I would expect and also that they would not last for ever and I would be better the following week.

This spurred me on with the added thought that if it is just 16 weeks of this in a trade to live longer, then I will get through it. Positive mental attitude is definitely the way forward with this disease.

I got used to having a ‘Covid’ test and blood test before treatment. The only thing I would have changed on hindsight is to have a PICC line inserted at the start of all the chemo. I had in mind a portacath, but for me that was not possible, so I had cannulas for the first three treatments and consequently some veins in my arm are hard and unusable; so consequent blood tests/ cannulas are really difficult to put in.

I changed my mind and had a PICC line inserted and I highly recommend it.

The hair loss after the 2nd treatment (it was coming out in tufts; I had it shaved off) was offset by the fantastic wig I got (virtually paid for by the NHS) from an excellent shop in Rowlands Road, Worthing.

The staff were so helpful and absolutely knew what style would suit me. After tentatively wearing it out on my walks, I got used to the fact that no-one paid any attention as it looked just like my real hair. This gave me much more confidence.

Having finally got through eight chemo treatments, the next ‘chunk’ as I liked to think of it was radiotherapy.

A ‘planning CT’ and chat with a radiographer at Brighton Cancer Unit allowed them to measure and plan my treatment to the last millimetre. After three little ‘tattoos’; no more than a cat scratch, and lots of pen-marks later, the appointment was finished.

A home test set for Covid 19 was sent with instructions of what to do (making the box up was far trickier than any of the actual test!) and then came the actual treatment. This took no more than 20 minutes in all and most of that was for precise positioning. It was not at all scary and did not hurt at all.

I had been warned of overwhelming tiredness, maybe redness or blistering to the skin, but I was very lucky and initially only experienced the tiredness (although, I found it mainly kicked in when I finally sat down!).

However, a few weeks later and there was some redness and a small blister and a bra was not so comfortable by the end of the day. The point of which being that although initially nothing may show, there is a delay in effects coming out, so continued care of skin and checking of the area is essential.

[Following Chemo and radiotherapy, drug therapy was offered to me; although this is down to individual circumstances and an Oncologist suggests what the best therapy is for you for ongoing protection.]

So, this whole chapter has taken three quarters of a year and throughout the whole experience, my colleagues at the Breast Centre and the Brighton Cancer Centre were all kind, supportive, caring, professional at all times and knowledgeable; giving time for any questions to be answered, but also not rushing; letting the diagnosis sink in and allowing consideration for major decisions that needed to be faced.

This consequently sometimes meant there was a considerable delay for appointments; but, given the fact that as much time was given as needed to each patient, this delay is absolutely acceptable and at both centres, delay times were always prominently displayed.

I hope this small insight helps to put your mind at ease and to positively tackle this challenge in your life.

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Submitted by Emily
Lead Fit Tester

Year 2020, a very memorable year to all of us. Many suffered loss of loved ones from the pandemic; too many people died all over the world. But I have some memories, I want to share . . .

I used to work in Critical Care Unit for more than 10 years before resigning in December 2019. If you have been on the ward for 10 years, either you want to change or you want to step up.

From January to April 2020, I was doing bank shifts and attending many job interviews.

I must admit that not all of my interviews were successful. But I saw every rejection as a redirection!

Then in May 2020, I started my first day as a PPE Safety Officer.

I initially worked with at least ten redeployed nurses, but when they went back to the normal roles, I was on my own doing all the Fit Testing.

I must admit it was really hard work, but I became more confident, competent, knowledgeable, skillful and creative.

I am so grateful that my God has been on my side wherever I have gone. He made me more resilience and full of integrity.

After several months, I became a Lead Fit Tester across the Trust.

I am using my job to empower colleagues with positivity and empowerment during their Fit testing sessions.

My purpose for sharing my story, is to tell people that there is hope in the middle of the storm.

What was meant for harm, God turned it for my advantage. “To God be all the glory”.

Indeed, God control the universe.

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Submitted by Emma
Nurse

I am a staff nurse in Critical Care at Worthing Hospital.

Working in Critical Care during the pandemic has been incredibly challenging, but it has highlighted how amazing and adaptable our team is, from our doctors and nurses to our physiotherapists, housekeepers and all multidisciplinary team members in between.

In Waves 1 and 2 we were supported by staff from theatres, recovery and ESCU; many of whom went above and beyond by putting themselves in an environment that was completely out of their comfort zone to provide much-needed assistance.

Assistance that our team were very grateful for!

I therefore just wanted to share how proud I am to be a Critical Care nurse at Worthing Hospital.

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Submitted by Erin
Sussex Trauma Network Manager

As a non-clinical employee it was a real honour to witness first-hand the dedication of our medical staff.

It makes me weepy just thinking of those early days. Having had only recently taken on the role as Sussex Trauma Network Manager most of my interactions with clinicians were at quarterly meetings where we would discuss policies and governance.

Once Covid came along the role changed to weekly, sometimes daily updates from all of our trauma sites across the region on the live situation on the ground.

We started having regular weekly check-ins just to see how best to support one another. One call in particular, where a colleague just looked so utterly broken, got me thinking what can I do for our trauma staff. It is hard when you aren’t clinical to know how to help in a crisis.

I soon realised my friends were in the same boat as my wife and I, working and staying at home, not sure how to help, feeling helpless.

So I decided to email a few mates with the idea to “adopt a nurse” by donating gifts or cash to buy nice gifts for frontline staff.

Friends shared the request with their friends and social groups (golf, sea swimming, knitting, book clubs) and then something magical happened – so much love, money, gifts and so many cakes arrived on my doorstep.

My eight year old would help me put gift bags together and we’d write hand written thank you notes at night; a little something to say “We see you, you matter, and your tireless dedication is noted and so appreciated.”

I popped into the County Hospital twice a week with gifts and baked goods. I feel so grateful for those quick, masked encounters and getting to meet more of our hard working staff in person.

The experience brought on by Covid, meant I met new people and even made a new raft of friends. It really was a silver lining to the pandemic. To witness community spirit in action and people coming together for a common good was beautiful. Covid got us all to slow down and see what really matters – friendship, community, love, and health.

My direct take away from the experience is that I met a sea swimmer – Kim – who would show up with cakes after a dip in the sea – I could tell because she had on one of those Dry Robes.

We’d chat across the front garden about sea swimming and the benefits. These weekly chats with a then stranger led me to take the plunge and start sea swimming (in cold January) to help with stress, anxiety, and mental fatigue. I’ve been forever changed by it and now swim four times a week; something I never would have considered before.

The hardest part of the past year, personally, has been being so far from home. My family is in California and I haven’t seen them in person in two years.

We are hoping for a summer visit but will have to wait and see. For today, I am thankful for the NHS, my health, my two vaccine jabs, my family, my friends, my community, and swimming.

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Submitted by Erin
Sussex Trauma Network Manager

As a non-clinical employee it was a real honour to witness first-hand the dedication of our medical staff.

It makes me weepy just thinking of those early days. Having had only recently taken on the role as Sussex Trauma Network Manager most of my interactions with clinicians were at quarterly meetings where we would discuss policies and governance.

Once Covid came along the role changed to weekly, sometimes daily updates from all of our trauma sites across the region on the live situation on the ground.

We started having regular weekly check-ins just to see how best to support one another. One call in particular, where a colleague just looked so utterly broken, got me thinking what can I do for our trauma staff. It is hard when you aren’t clinical to know how to help in a crisis.

I soon realised my friends were in the same boat as my wife and I, working and staying at home, not sure how to help, feeling helpless.

So I decided to email a few mates with the idea to “adopt a nurse” by donating gifts or cash to buy nice gifts for frontline staff.

Friends shared the request with their friends and social groups (golf, sea swimming, knitting, book clubs) and then something magical happened – so much love, money, gifts and so many cakes arrived on my doorstep.

My eight year old would help me put gift bags together and we’d write hand written thank you notes at night; a little something to say “We see you, you matter, and your tireless dedication is noted and so appreciated.”

I popped into the County Hospital twice a week with gifts and baked goods. I feel so grateful for those quick, masked encounters and getting to meet more of our hard working staff in person.

The experience brought on by Covid, meant I met new people and even made a new raft of friends. It really was a silver lining to the pandemic. To witness community spirit in action and people coming together for a common good was beautiful. Covid got us all to slow down and see what really matters – friendship, community, love, and health.

My direct take away from the experience is that I met a sea swimmer – Kim – who would show up with cakes after a dip in the sea – I could tell because she had on one of those Dry Robes.

We’d chat across the front garden about sea swimming and the benefits. These weekly chats with a then stranger led me to take the plunge and start sea swimming (in cold January) to help with stress, anxiety, and mental fatigue. I’ve been forever changed by it and now swim four times a week; something I never would have considered before.

The hardest part of the past year, personally, has been being so far from home. My family is in California and I haven’t seen them in person in two years.

We are hoping for a summer visit but will have to wait and see. For today, I am thankful for the NHS, my health, my two vaccine jabs, my family, my friends, my community, and swimming.

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I didn’t know that was to be the last time I saw her in person…

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I didn’t know that was to be the last time I saw her in person…

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Submitted by Graham
Macmillan Cancer Support Worker

Prior to the pandemic, colleagues and management were very understanding of my duty to help my grandmother.

I escorted her back up to Scotland for the last time in early January 2020. As I left her house to get in a taxi to Glasgow Airport, I glanced through her living room window and waved goodbye as she smiled at me from her armchair.

I didn’t know that was to be the last time I saw her in person, but it did feel a little ominous as she hadn’t been in good health.

I was planning on traveling back to the airport by train, but she gave me money for the taxi that would take me a few hours later than originally planned; in hindsight I think she knew how precious our time together was.

The pandemic that arrived on our shores around about that time has as we all know meant living with a lot of restrictions.

I was not able to visit my grandmother when she was hospitalised after a fall later in 2020. She spent what felt like a long time in two different hospitals, but told me over the phone how much she was enjoying the care and company of professional and kind-hearted NHS colleagues during her lengthy stays up there.

They helped Gran conduct video calls with me, which I am so grateful for, as these video calls were the last times that I was able to see her.

Sadly, in late 2020, I was informed that she was passing away.

People who know me understand that I suffer from Bipolar Disorder, which has historically meant taking longer periods of time off work sick in comparison to other colleagues.

This may sound strange, but thanks to the brilliant kindness and support from my line manager, and other colleagues, I took no time off work sick before, during and after my grandmother’s passing away.

This was my first time feeling able and willing to come to work whilst experiencing a mild episode.

At one point, a colleague mentioned that she thought I would break out into song whilst I was conducting one of our morning huddles – a sign of an unusual emotional state considering that I had just heard of the loss of my dearly beloved grandmother.

I said to this very understanding and supportive colleague that deep down I am feeling very sad. I am also grateful for another colleague, who kept regular tabs on my wellbeing; on one occasion we briefly discussed in the corridor how different people process grief and loss in different ways.

I was given leave to make the journey up to Scotland with my family for my grandmother’s funeral, which was a very dignified occasion attended by a very small number of close family members, at a time when the whole of the UK was under very tight lockdown restrictions.

Upon my return, I came straight back to work, and over the course of the next few weeks, returned to an emotional and mental state that family, friends, and colleagues are more familiar with.

Jokingly, when I said to my manager that I “feel normal again,” she said “you’re not normal!… normal is boring!”

We reflected how, in my case, continuing to come in to work and keeping myself occupied with appropriate tasks and workplace activities was definitely better than staying at home.

I cannot thank my colleagues enough for the kindnesses and considerations they afforded me during my time at work over a very difficult time.

I am of course not the only person who suffers with Bipolar Disorder; people like me up and down the country often experience difficulties associated with finding and holding down employment, but the way I was treated by friends and colleagues was exemplary, and a testament to our Outstanding organisation.

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Submitted by Gladys
Staff Nurse, GUM/HIV

It was the beginning of 2020. There was a strange bug, in ‘St Elsewhere’. Initially, the news was quite fascinating but as the days went by, events were quickly taking over, in Italy, convoys carrying dead bodies, it was in UK South East, lock downs, tests, PPE, death, shortage of beds, retrain to be ready to be deployed.

Everything moved so fast.

Politics, science and finance went into a clash while death kept knocking on doors. Everything had to come to a standstill. Any defiance showed massive lack of wisdom. Fear clouded the world, bravery turned to folly, everyone was at high risk. No division in our humanness. We were all made to understand we are one species, equally vulnerable.

Health care workers, and other essential services had to go on, delve into the contaminated environment and get on with it, no ifs no buts. Someone has got to front the sanctuaries of healing. All our eyes were now on (not so valued before) scientists, now their invaluable job and importance revealed.

I pounded the streets all alone mostly from my house to work back and fourth everyday. All alone very solemn but with no fear, I was only doing my job. I would then get into a locked clinic, with my colleagues, which was very lively with phone calls to patients at home, triaging reassuring and reassuring re-arranging appointments, updating with current situation, playing the bravery role day in day out.

At home it was back to eyes glued on television, what was the update. Mass graves, politicians in denial. Then on Zoom with family and friends, so and so is dead, and another, and another, buried with no crowd to support as is our custom.

Zoom funerals one after another, oh my goodness. No church to get solace from.

Lets be thankful we are here today.

We pay tribute to all who lost their lives and to all heath care workers who died trying their best to help others.

Thank you scientists. I hope the world will soon return to the ‘new normal’ of love, oneness, true global village, where we are all neighbours and sharing.

Thank you technologist, job well done. You saved our social lives at least we were able to talk and see each other’s faces and we still are.

The world is a strange place and no one knows the future, lets accept and shut our mouths, there is someone greater out there. It’s a fact. Hats off to the great invisible one.

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Courage and contribution of an overseas nurse

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Courage and contribution of an overseas nurse

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I am an overseas nurse who just arrived in the UK to work for our Trust last December. I was able to witness and experience Covid in and out of the hospital.

I was allocated in the theatre but because of Covid I was sent to the ward. During the time I was in the ward it was the peak of the wave and we had no available beds anymore. It was a very scary experience since I am not trained as a ward nurse and new to the country. I am just glad that my colleagues were supportive.

One thing I will never forget is that I caught Covid while working in the ward because one of my patients turned out to be positive. I am asthmatic and when I felt the symptoms it was horrible. I experienced sleepless nights because I could not breathe. My flatmates nearly called the ambulance but I stopped them since I knew that we did not have beds available anyway and if there is someone else worse than me they may need it.

I am just happy that I was able to serve people during this pandemic.

Imelyn Staff Nurse, Worthing

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One of our Porters had been in ITU with Covid and as a department we were extremely worried about him.

He was eventually moved to Beckett ward which overlooks the Portering & Main Stores area. We could then arrange for him to be at the window at a specific time so that the porters on shift could wave and speak to him.

On his 60th birthday we had as many people as possible maintaining a 2m distance in the main stores delivery yard, and when he came to the window we all sang happy birthday to him. It was a truly emotional moment for all concerned.

Jacqui Porter

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They nursed dying patients, for some this was a new experience…

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They nursed dying patients, for some this was a new experience…

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Submitted by Janet
Children’s Critical Care Practitioner, RACH

I was impressed by the courage and commitment shown by our children’s critical care nurses, particularly during the second wave.They have had no training in nursing adults, but they worked caring for critically ill adults with Covid.They showed compassion to these often older patients, away from their families. It was stressful for the nurses, so much was new to them and they worried about getting something wrong or missing something out.They nursed dying patients, for some this was a new experience. Their resilience and the care they gave to their patients and to each other was exemplary.

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Submitted by John
Advanced Practitioner Reporting Chest Radiographer

March 2020. Three-week holiday in Canada visiting my sister on Vancouver Island, what a treat except the signs of a pandemic were brewing as I departed Heathrow.

As the holiday progressed various shops and facilities were closing down, and one could sense a certain fear throughout the world when observing the news on radio, television and on-line.

Covid-19 was quickly advancing throughout Europe, so I felt reasonably safe in the outback of Canada.

My return flight was cancelled, and rearrangements had to be quickly made. I returned a day early to an alien environment of England.

The fun now started! Having arrived back at home on a sunny Thursday morning, because of being ‘vulnerable’, I was not able to enter the house as my eldest son having demonstrated signs of Covid and was one week into a two-week isolation along with the rest of the household, so I was in effect homeless.

Hotels and guesthouses were all closed, somebody suggested, can’t you stay with a friend! I was ‘vulnerable’ and having just travelled a third of the way around the world, I was at high risk of having caught the virus myself.

In the back of my mind, I envisaged sleeping in the back of my car or kipping down in a sleeping bag at work, as they say, desperate times, desperate measures. My boss was horrified with these suggestions, so keyboards were tapped and I was given a room at staff accommodation at Worthing to tie me over for the coming week.

I was jet-lagged, hungry and needing food. Thank goodness for the volunteers providing basic food for NHS workers in the carpark at Worthing hospital. I bought some potatoes, eggs, bread and tinned tomatoes, what a feast! I also got a free two-kilogram bag of coleslaw, which had been donated by one of the local fast-food establishments.

After several day recovering from my flight, I was back at work in Southlands Hospital in the safety of my own office. There wasn’t any time to waste, and I was straight in helping out behind the front line dealing with what would become a long fraught battle with a world-wide pandemic.

I worked through the spring and summer of 2020, observing through the media the advancing surges of the Covid pandemic. As the roads were quieter than usual, I decided to cycle to work on certain days as I needed the exercise and of course it’s good for the environment.

Into November, and I’m told to go home to shield. HR had finally caught up with me and there was no escape. I wasn’t happy as I wanted to stay at my post, but had to go home and isolate.

It’s now April 2021, three lockdowns later and I’m finally allowed back at work. I’ve been one of the fortunate ones.

I hope people remain safe and be sensible in the coming months and years and never forget all the individuals who succumbed to the effects of the virus.

As Captain Tom famously quoted, tomorrow will be a better day!

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My story is not big or life changing, but to me it was a very kind gesture.

It was in December, a freezing cold morning and my car was iced up.

I stared to scrape the car windscreen at 6am, but my next door neighbour said not to do that and to get in the car to stay warm.

He then defrosted my car so I could come into work at Worthing Hospital – it made me cry.

It was such a kind thing to do.

Katrina, Waste and Compliance Manager, Worthing Hospital

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Submitted by Deborah
Clinical Specialist Respiratory Physiotherapist

Today was very poignant… Standing beside my physio colleagues in critical care, alongside nurses, doctors, pharmacists, OT’s, Ward Clerks, and our patients, we held a minute’s silence.

I reflected on how close we have been as a team, and how fortunate we were to have so many come to help.

I reflected on how I have been changed by Covid.

I reflected on those who we lost despite trying everything physically possible to change the outcomes.

I thought about their families, and prayed. This evening especially I have a heavy heart, and am thinking especially of my beautiful friend and her lovely mum.

I thought about those who lost loved ones for reasons other than Covid, and have been grieving.

I reflected with thanks, for those we managed to save, and get back to loved ones.

I felt proud of the way we adapted as teams to try to support these patients when their relatives couldn’t be holding their hands.

I reflected on how panicky I felt when I heard friends had Covid, as having seen it at its worst I was scared for them, and just wanted to ensure they were OK and safe.

I reflected on the family I haven’t seen. I saw my mum once, for three hours, since February 2020.

I reflected on my family. My kids who got used to the fact that I was hardly around at times, and just accepted it as they knew I needed to be doing my job. My husband, who finished his degree while homeschooling the kids, and put up with me coming home and sometimes just sitting down in silence, other times in tears.

In the physio department, we then held another minute silence where I looked around and felt pride for the group of people who have all worked together in this fight this year.

We will never forget this year. And Covid is still here for some. For those people we will continue to fight.

And to all who didn’t make it, may they rest in perfect peace.

For those who did make it, I give thanks, and for the amazing teams in critical care and the wards, who continue to fight this, thank you…. Together we are strong.

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Looking after my father through a pandemic…

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Looking after my father through a pandemic…

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Submitted by Kim-Marie
Outpatient Receptionist, St Richard’s Hospital

I am my Father’s carer. He still lives at home and waiting a formal diagnosis of dementia.

When lockdown first happened, my father did not understand what was going on, masks or not leaving the house. Why couldn’t I visit? I put my phone number in his wallet and every time there was a problem, he (or others) would call me at work. My manager was very understanding and would let me take toil if I had any.

The waiting list was over a year to get the official diagnosis for the dementia. My brother who lives miles away in Lincoln could not drive down to help. He had his own family ‘bubble’ and didn’t want to come near dad as he is 83 and a chronic asthmatic.

Dad was in and out of A&E and I was not allowed in. I needed to register as his carer so I could be with him as he was not remembering why he was even in A&E.

It remained difficult as I thought I was more of a risk to my dad by going to work every day. I am a chronic asthmatic myself, so I was scared going to work every day. When we were told to wear a mask daily, my breathing was worse, but I wear one to stay safe.

We finally have had an assessment but not the official diagnosis. I still wear my mask while with dad. I know other people have not been able to see loved ones and others have passed but life was and still remains very hard.

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Submitted by John
Administrator

Famously quoting Boris Johnson and his new year’s tweet on the 1st January 2020.”This is going to be a fantastic year for Britain.”(How wrong was he!!)

2020 hasn’t been the easiest year for many of us, but we are incredibly proud to be doing our bit to help the people in need. At the start of the pandemic many if not all of our staff were being re-deployed to other parts of the hospital where they were needed most. We are proud of how well we adapted to maintain essential services in an ever changing climate.

Throughout the first lockdown we managed to totally reorganise the department with a lick of paint and changing seating to cope with social distancing. Our fantastic team of volunteers were no longer permitted to come and work with us so we needed to find a system for helping our receptionists to direct patients to the correct waiting area. So the overalls and paint came out! Along with colour coding the waiting areas and coloured tape along the walls to help guide patients.

Throughout the first lockdown the outpatients team were very fragmented with most of our staff redeployed to Covid wards or having to shield. While in these very stressful times we did a have a saving grace, in that we set up a group chat, so whenever we were low and needed a cheer up the whole team were on hand to help out and support each other. One year on and the group chat is still going strong, chats have changed slightly from support to comical GIF’s and pictures of food!

There have been some amazing changes that we have managed to introduce within outpatients like being able to accommodate “Attend Anywhere”(Virtual) clinics where clinicians have access to dual screens, which has proven to be a great success.

I think some of the hardest times in our life turned out to be some of the most memorable. Having only been with the team for a little under 18 months, the past year has been a steep learning curve for us all.

Having to adapt and change how we work and taking on even more responsibility. We are all incredibly proud of each other and I believe many of us wouldn’t change a thing.

Christmas during lockdown 3.0 proved to be a lot more sombre than previous years, thankfully most of our staff were back from redeployment so we could be a team once more.

Christmas for many had been hard with changing rules and not having the chance to see friends and family over the festive period. For many of us coming into work has been a Godsend, sometimes the only people who you could see or even chat too was your work colleagues, throughout this past year it has shown how strong we all are and how supportive we can be.

Things will never be the same again. But in some ways, the likes of telephone appointments and virtual consultations have been hugely beneficial. I think if you had to ask anyone within the NHS if they thought those would be possible pre Covid they would either have laughed or said “that’s way in the future”.

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Reflections of a Chaplain: demanding, heart breaking and a huge privilege

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Reflections of a Chaplain: demanding, heart breaking and a huge privilege

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Submitted by Joanna
Lead Chaplain, RSCH

As chaplains, our team has been present on the wards throughout the pandemic. Our role has been to support not only the patients but also relatives and members of staff.

We have listened to staff sharing their fear and exhaustion, passed messages for relatives and been with their loved ones when they could not and held the hands of frightened and very sick or dying patients and offered prayers for them when it was appropriate. It has been demanding, heart breaking and a huge privilege.

There are so many stories, but one which sticks in my mind was my first visit to a patient dying with Covid-19. He was someone I knew well as he had been a volunteer for the Trust for many years until retiring in his 80s.

I was driving my oldest child down from university just before the first lockdown started and received a message when I was four hours from home from the on-call chaplain to tell me the patient was end of life and had been asking for me.

I said prayers for the dying and blessed him over the phone while sitting in a service station car park just north of Birmingham. As soon as I arrived home after about 10 hours of driving, I rushed to the hospital and arrived in time to see him and bless him again before he died.

I remember the awkwardness of the unfamiliar PPE and the feeling of deep sorrow for him ending his life that way. Everything in those first days felt quite surreal and l remember I had so much anxiety for myself, my family and my colleagues about the risks and the unknowns of this new disease.

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My lasting memory of the year is not a hospital memory but of the first urgent Covid-19 related application we had at the Brighton and Sussex Research Ethics Committee.

It was trying to determine which kind of oxygen delivery best delayed intubation in Covid patients. The lead researcher was from Warwick University. He had been asked to do the research on the Friday. He got the paperwork to us on the Wednesday following for our meeting on the Thursday, including the protocol, the participant information sheet and the involvement of 41 hospitals.

I thought that was a fantastic effort and I have never forgotten it.

Governor

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He was able to be there for the birth of his first child…

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He was able to be there for the birth of his first child…

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Submitted by Lloyd
Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine

No scrubs

One morning I arrived at work to be told that all frontline staff were required to wear scrubs. I had no idea how to obtain scrubs. Eventually I wandered over to the laundry unit and got three sets, which I took home and washed at the end of the week.

The happiest day of your life

A young man was on the inpatient unit having had a severe stroke. His wife was due to give birth to their first child at Worthing Hospital. I discussed it with the labour ward at Worthing who were really helpful and accommodating and he was able to be there for the birth of his first child. He has remained in hospital ever since.

The wave

One morning in May, guidance was passed down that patient visiting was to be suspended. This was very challenging, especially for patients who have significant cognitive and communication issues and are here for prolonged periods of time.

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Submitted by Lordson
Senior Occupational Therapist, PRH

Colleagues and team working – We have all learnt to look out for each other during these unprecedented times.
Patient care – We have learnt to involve families in decision making, and focus on getting patients home.
Working together – We have learnt that our community teams have been amazing at rallying in to help us, when we have been short staffed.

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Submitted by Lucy
HaemOnc Unit Manager, RSCH

We decided in September of 2020 to send Pulse Oximeters to our clinically extremely vulnerable haematology patients who tested positive for Covid, to help us spot signs of a drop in oxygen levels.

We further decided to ring all suspected and confirmed Covid patients at home to triage them daily. As the list grew longer the emotional effect this had on me personally, grew.

I, however, personally volunteered to lead on this, with the help of my brilliant band 6’s.

Although it was often very intensely draining and there were days when we had very difficult conversations with very scared patients, we saved lives by using this simple piece of machinery.

If the patient’s oxygen saturations dropped below a certain level, we advised them to go to A&E with the covering letter from myself, even if they felt well.

I recently met a patient in our haematology day unit, who I sent to A&E with low oxygen levels. Even though he felt ok and understandably didn’t want to go, he was admitted and treated for Covid. I have no doubt of the outcome had we not followed this process. It was so nice to see him!

The importance of these Pulse Oximeters was published a few months later and I am so glad that my consultants thought of the idea months before and that we acted on it.

There were very depressing days where we lost community patients who were very well known to us and my resilience had to be strong, but I am very proud that we looked after our community patients in this way.

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Submitted by Katie
Ward Technologist

I joined the NHS a year before COVID-19 and even then, we shared memories and moments that will stay with us forever. However, the pandemic was like nothing we’ve ever experienced before. It was scary and confusing to say the least. When the numbers increased in the first and second wave it was heart breaking to see all patients scared, lonely and without their loved ones, but excited and happy tears were flowing for those who got to go home.

I am so proud of my wards. My team members inspire me to show as much courage, bravery and empathy as they have shown all year and prior to the pandemic. There have been so many changes in policies and procedures to protect ourselves, our colleagues and the general population, which I feel we all adapted to very quickly and still are, with constant developments coming into place, we put all patients first with no questions asked.

It has been a difficult time for everyone, some more than others, with those losing loved ones, mental health at risk and socialising to a minimum, but I feel we have all stuck together to get through. Every hospital should receive an award, we are all heroes and heroines.

Although we wished it never happened, it has taught us all so much, including what to appreciate and what makes us truly happy. In memory of those lost that is what I will remember. I will live my life as best as I can, I will remember to appreciate the small things, I will take every opportunity thrown at me and I will try my best to grab on to it with both hands and not let go, I will hug those I love every day and tell them so. I will try my best to put things into perspective when I’m feeling low, I will be kind to myself and live life with a smile.

Rest in peace dear souls. It has been a time in my life I shall never forget.

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Laboratories told of an ‘evolving situation’ in January 2020

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Laboratories told of an ‘evolving situation’ in January 2020

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Submitted by Paul
Head Biomedical Scientist

My COVID-19 story began in January 2020 with Public Health England bulletins informing laboratories in the UK of an “evolving situation”.

Date 07/01/2020: Event: Cluster of pneumonia of unknown aetiology in Wuhan City, China

Background and Interpretation: On 31 December 2019, WHO was informed by the People’s Republic of China of cases of pneumonia of unknown microbial aetiology associated with Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Some but not all cases were associated with Wuhan South China Seafood City market, which sells meat, poultry and seafood. At the last report to WHO on 03 January 2020, there were 44 cases of which 11 were reported as severely ill. A Wuhan Municipal Health Commission update on 05 January reported 59 cases, including 7 critically ill patients, with no deaths. The first case became unwell on 12 December 2019 and the onset date of the last case was 29 December 2019. Current reports describe no evidence of significant human to human transmission, including no infections of healthcare workers. Cases of pneumonia possibly linked to Wuhan City have been assessed in Hong Kong. Limited clinical information available suggests some cases have bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. Wuhan Health Commission report that influenza, adenovirus, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV have been ruled out. Investigations for other pathogens continue. It is possible that this cluster represents the emergence of a novel pathogen. Although the cluster in Wuhan City is not due to avian influenza, according to current reports, avian influenza has been reported in this region and it remains a possibility in returning travellers from Wuhan City. This is an evolving situation and further updates will be provided.

Implications and recommendations for clinical microbiology, virology and infectious diseases services NHS microbiology/virology/ID services should communicate the information in this briefing note appropriately within their Trust, including with Emergency Departments and acute medical services. Patients who present with pneumonia and have travelled to China in the 14 days prior to onset of symptoms should have a detailed travel and exposure history taken.

Date 09/01/2020 Event: Wuhan novel coronavirus (WN-CoV) identified

On 9 January 2020, WHO reported that Chinese authorities had made a preliminary identification of a novel coronavirus from a patient hospitalised with pneumonia in Wuhan. Chinese investigators conducted sequencing of the viral genome. Reports to date describe no evidence of significant human to human transmission, including no infections of healthcare workers. Currently there are no known UK cases and no cases reported in countries other than China. Cases of respiratory infection in travellers from Wuhan City to Hong Kong have been assessed and the majority have been reported to have conventional respiratory pathogens; no cases of novel coronavirus have been reported from Hong Kong. Increased travel to and from China is expected around Chinese New Year on 25 January 2020. There are direct flights from Wuhan City to London. No travel restrictions are advised.

The story evolved over the news channels and ‘Downing Street’ briefings and my work life revolved around trying to implement all the competing demands.

Often on Friday we would hear what we were supposed to implement on Monday. Dilemmas regarding staff staying at home or running a microbiology laboratory and staff safety versus comfort played out throughout the year.

Furloughed friends spoke of catching up on games, books or Netflix, whilst the commute to work felt more like I would bump into Will Smith’s character from ‘I am Legend’. The death toll kept increasing.

My parents were locked down in nursing home and sheltered accommodation, whereas two of my three children were locked down in student accommodation.

The laboratory meanwhile worked on, as the statistics and news detailed.

The numbers of SARS-Cov-2 (as the virus was now known) tests increased with a level of 16,000 tests a month. There were colleagues in the laboratory, testing, between 7am to 3am the following morning. The normal work of a diagnostic Microbiology laboratory decreased and then started to rise again.

Colleagues stepped in to provide Point Of Care Tests as this technology developed. (Boris’s 90 minute tests).

I feel privileged to have so many amazing individuals making up such an extraordinary team, and to have worked with so many others in the Trust.

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Then came New Year’s Eve, a day I will never forget…

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Then came New Year’s Eve, a day I will never forget…

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Submitted by Natalie
Practice Educator/Senior Sister ITU, SRH

I will never forget how it felt donning for the first time. My hands shaking and the tension in the air palpable as I pulled down my visor and took a deep breath and pushed the ITU doors open.

That deep breath never went away as we worked tirelessly, learning the inner workings of Covid and how it grips our patients.

Eventually, as summer came to us, we moved out of the first wave: with many success stories – claps out of hospital, teamwork prevailing, Thursday night clapping as a nation celebrated the NHS. And into the second wave – our small unit and the hospital unaware of the impact this devastating period would have on all of us.

We watched it creep insidiously towards us with bated breath, seeing colleagues in Network Critical Care units slowly becoming overwhelmed. This time forewarned and we thought forearmed!

The nation prepared for a third lockdown, Christmas with loved ones no longer allowed and an overwhelmingly eerie silence as equipment was scurried together, escalation units prepared, Covid skills and preparation training rolled out and our team tried to mentally prepare and keep spirits high.

Then came New Year’s Eve, a day I will never forget. We had begun to admit patients from other hospitals to decompress their units at breaking point a couple of days before. However our flood gates had opened, admission after admission came from this point on of patients so desperately critically unwell.

I had to close my eyes for a split second – to gather my thoughts amongst the overwhelming noise of alarms, ventilators, monitoring and my phenomenal team scurrying together despite incredible fear to save lives.

That noise stayed with me – reverberating in my ears on many a tearful drive home or as I tried to switch off at night. As my eyes pinged open again, I had to work out which colleague to assist to treat the ever occurring rapid deterioration of a Covid patient, which member of staff to delegate to or how best to assign our staff to accommodate another admission.

This was the way we had all become accustomed to practicing whilst under the extreme pressures of the pandemic. The whole team divided into Red and Green teams but using a wealth of knowledge to come together despite all of the anxiety and uncertainty, to take care of each other, catch each other during the hard times and do our absolute best for our patients.

Green teams moving whole ITU’s numerous times and operating with limited resources. Red teams with 2-4 ventilated patients with each prone, turn or intervention causing instability in a patient that I have never seen in my ten year ITU career.

But all anxious about each other. Red teams upset at not being able to support Green teams and Green teams anxious for Red teams. A trait which makes our team a family.

Despite this our ITU family – now expanded by our highly skilled Covid support team, incredible redeployed staff (many who had supported us for the entire pandemic!) Paediatric teams, Outreach, Anaesthetic, MFU and Surgeons & Surgical care practitioners and Specialist staff, domestics, porters (so many to mention – but we are so grateful to each and every one of you!) all stepping bravely and completely out of their comfort zones, uncomplaining, scared but rallying around us to help.

Whether it be with prones, holistic care, preparation of the numerous drug infusions, stocking, moving and cleaning beds or with well wishes, words of support or PPE hugs as hot tears ran down our masked faces. The support was and is simply overwhelming.

I think I can speak for each and every one of my colleagues and say we felt every loss – painfully so, as we supported patients, their loved ones and each other through multiple bereavements.

Our own mortality flashing before us, this wave feeling so incredibly close to home, but making every success feel all the more pertinent as patients began repatriating to their hospitals or being discharged to our incredible wards.

And in amongst the incredible sadness and relentless work, came the solidarity: singing songs on the radio in full PPE, the laughs despite the overwhelming pressure and heartache, drawings on PPE name stickers, hats made to celebrate birthdays, Consultants and Drs relieving staff for breaks, shift swaps, overtime or bank shifts despite exhaustion or a simple “Are you ok”.

Alongside the donations of lovingly made cakes, food hampers, pamper packs, cream for sore broken noses and the incredible Jacaranda to fill our stomachs with delicious food and hydrate us with water!

Each meal becoming the only comfort whilst sitting with colleagues. Staff debriefs and support sessions, texts out of work and little motivational gifts to bring a smile. Each and every one of us looking out for each other and our support teams and going above and beyond to help each other get through each shift and to the point we are today.

Critical care has always been my home and my passion since I joined 10 years ago and I’ve always been so proud to be part of this incredible team.

There have been many lows and countless tears but I am in complete and utter awe at the bravery, kindness and resilience that even they don’t know they have. There is absolutely no one that I would rather have weathered this storm with and we will continue to do it the only way we know how – together.

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Submitted by Luke
Respiratory Consultant, Worthing

I first became aware of COVID in the middle of January 2020 reading articles in the Lancet.

Having known about MERS & SARS outbreaks from over a decade ago, I understood the potential gravity but only when I saw a video from a Wuhan hospital did it become clear what was happening and potentially how underprepared we may be.

As Italy became engulfed, to my amazement, friends were still planning trips there and relatives were considering theatre trips days prior to our eventual lockdown near the end of March. Fellow critical care researchers knew people in Wuhan and Milan and the news was not good.

In hospital, we understood what was coming, however this was not the case elsewhere initially – by the time the first patients arrived we were ready, but aware of the potential to become overwhelmed.

From initial Wuhan reports, survival if ventilated was extremely unlikely. As a group we ensured that our knowledge was informed by experiences worldwide, but also from historical knowledge of similar viruses; I remember putting together evidence that Critical Care was not appropriate for every individual due to the nature of the disease process and a person’s underlying health, which had to be faced by the clinical teams in such scenarios.

Teams in Critical Care quickly worked up surge rotas and explored getting hold of extra ventilators and ensuring adequate oxygen would be available.

We put together flow charts to rapidly assess patients coming through the ED to ensure that appropriate treatment escalation plans were made, which over time became accepted practice.

The vast majority of the staff in the hospital worked together as one to provide the best possible care for our population whilst protecting staff.

For the first week or two of having patients, whether many would survive critical care was not clear – even in the US mortality was being reported at >80%.

Doing night shifts again was not pleasant.

However, as time went on, some people started to slowly recover and with that hope began to rise.

I was determined early on to make sure we delivered the best evidence-based treatments to patients rather than rely on eminence / opinions, which were not lacking.

We therefore took part in the national COVID studies including RECOVERY, which I think helped staff, patients and staff know that we were doing everything we could to help them or their loved ones.

Next we got the next wave which was of care workers, porters and nurses – people who’d got the virus doing their job, which was difficult but we as a team were determined to try and support these people through.

As survivors left the unit, I set-up a research study as part of a new way of following-up survivors during the pandemic, using technology such as a smartwatch, to try to ensure that they would be physically supported in their recovery.

This study provided a focus for doctors and physiotherapists to continue to help people on their journey home and was good for staff morale.

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Submitted by Helen
Midwife

I am a retired Midwife at Worthing, and have worked bank shifts on Delivery Suite throughout the pandemic and also in the Vaccination Hub.

The initial PPE challenges were very hot when delivering babies, but I also remember that the generosity of the public was outstanding. My neighbours in the village of Washington donated toiletries for staff who needed to shower at work before going home.

I was also very grateful to the volunteers who set up shop outside Worthing Hospital so that staff could purchase items in short supply in the shops.  Going into a twilight shift one night with a pack of toilet rolls, some pasta and tinned tomatoes was like winning the lottery.

Here are pictures of me in PPE and colleagues receiving the toiletries taken in April 2020.

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I had covid at the beginning of April. It starts just with a cough and feeling tired until I felt like I could barely breathe. We stayed home in isolation for 14 days feeling horrible like I never felt before.

Being far away from my family made them worry a lot and feel bad because they couldn’t help or look after me. Fortunately, I have an amazing partner and great friends and neighbours who managed to do our shopping and deliver to us, especially when shelves at the shops were empty.

It was an extremely challenging and difficult year not just because of the type of work we are doing or the environment we work in. It was a tough year mentally. We were not able to visit our parents abroad for over a year. Even worse was that we were afraid to go there and infect them as we were lucky to have our vaccine and they still had to wait. We saw a lot of people suffer tragic losses and people fight for every breath they took. That makes you re-evaluate your life and how you treat other people and how you want to be treated.

For us, we managed to find the bright side of the whole situation. We saved money and made our dreams come true by getting a dog. It’s really helped take our minds off work and all the covid news online and in social media.

Dorota, Portering, St Richard’s Hospital

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Submitted by Neil
Consultant, Medicine, SRH

I was asked early on to be part of the COVID team. I was happy to do this despite being deemed medium / high risk myself.I have no regrets in doing this – in the twilight of my career I found myself learning anew and being able to bring to bear experience of working with the last epidemic which was HIV in 1984 and on.The morale, team working and the absolute willingness of the group as a whole to expose themselves to danger, especially at a time when we were still in the dark as to exactly what we going on, was a privilege and an honour to be part of.To misquote Shakespeare’s Henry V:And gentlefolk in England now-a-bed shall think themselves accursed they were not there, and hold their manhood’s cheap whiles any speaks that worked with us upon the Covid ward.A bit overblown but it encapsulates how we felt. “We band of brothers…”

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We have all developed courage that we probably didn’t realise we had…

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We have all developed courage that we probably didn’t realise we had…

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Submitted by Deborah

Clinical Specialist Respiratory Physiotherapist at St Richard’s hospital

As respiratory physiotherapists, we work to treat all patients in critical care, helping with resolving pneumonia symptoms, positioning to help their lungs inflate, and weaning them off the ventilator support when ready. We also provide rehabilitation to patients to try to build strength and improve function when the time is right.

During the pandemic, we also supported colleagues in Covid-19 critical care, which was a true privilege. We were very grateful to all who came to help us with our roles, including paediatrics, orthopaedics, outpatients, women’s health and neuro teams as they were all out of comfort zones but willing to do anything under guidance to help. I know a number of staff have had moments when it all felt too daunting, but we helped each other through those. We have all developed courage that we probably didn’t realise we had.

Having seen patients who survived the first wave and heard their stories, we were determined to remember their feedback and try to make things as bearable as possible. We knew just how hard it was for patients when they opened their eyes to see us dressed like that at a time when they needed a friendly and familiar face. Our lovely occupational therapists helped us with this by contacting patient’s relatives to find out all about them as a person, their likes, their dislikes, the music taste, names of people important to them. We printed photos for patients and made sure we talked about their loved ones whenever able to try to ensure they heard names of people they loved.

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Contributing to global research on COVID

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Contributing to global research on COVID

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Submitted by Carrie
Research Team

The Research teams across University Hospitals Sussex made a huge contribution to the global knowledge of COVID-19 during the pandemic response.

Staff at Worthing, St Richards and the Royal Sussex County Hospital ran the Recovery trial which has made a significant contribution to the overall global knowledge on the treatment and management of patients with COVID-19.

Across University Hospitals Sussex hundreds of patients participated in this trial, which has provided a vital evidence base to show efficacy (and non-efficacy) of treatments including steroid, tocilizumab, aspirin, remdesivir and many others.

The impact of this knowledge on mortality has had a global impact on how patients are managed. The research teams have worked tirelessly to provide patients across the Trust with the opportunity to have access to these treatments and to contribute to the advancement of global knowledge around this new illness. Patients were able to access trial treatments and high quality standard care.

Patients were also supported to participate in several observational studies including Genomicc, Pan-COVID, ISARIC and COVID-OR, whilst 500 staff from across the organisation participated in the Siren study. All of these vital studies have helped to learn more about COVID-19 and has generated data which has informed national and global policy.

The research team at the Royal Sussex County Hospital have also run the Ensemble-2 vaccine trial which is another vital part of the pandemic response.

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Submitted by Juvi
Critical Care Nurse

I worked in St Richard’s Hospital since 2003 in the Cardiac Unit and moved to Intensive Care Unit four years ago.

Of all these years at St Richard’s Hospital, the past year has been the most challenging one.

I’m so grateful for other staff from other units who came to help and tried their very best to support us even though they were very frightened too.

Hope the next months will be better for us all.

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A year of research on the frontline of the fight against COVID-19

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A year of research on the frontline of the fight against COVID-19

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Submitted by Cate
Head of Research/NMAHP Clinical Academic Programme Lead & NIHR 70@70 Senior Nurse/Midwife Research Leader

Research teams across the Trust have been at the frontline of tackling the COVID pandemic. They have been involved in rapidly rolling out and supporting national highest priority Urgent Public Health studies, seeking answers to how we prevent spread of COVID, provide life saving treatment to those severely affected by COVID and developing vaccines to protect the public.

NHS services have been a world leader in the global research efforts to tackle COVID-19

The clinical research team, along with frontline clinical colleagues have:

Provided a seven day service, covering weekends and bank holidays (outside of usual working practices) enabling patients and staff to take part in COVID-19 studies, which have included opportunities for patients to receive new medications and treatments.

Offered every patient admitted with COVID-19 research opportunities and involved them in at least one clinical trial

Worked on site throughout the whole pandemic and on wards particularly  ITU and red ward areas supporting clinical teams to involve patients in research

Supported staff participants in SIREN study – looking at spread of COVID and immunity

Supported COVID vaccine trials to provide more vaccine options and ensure safety.

Worked as a team – everyone involved in supporting COVID research

Had to celebrate events such as research nurse Mandy McCarthay retiring after 38 years in the Trust

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A family story of life beginning, enduring and ending during COVID

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A family story of life beginning, enduring and ending during COVID

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Submitted by Michelle
Administrator for Physiotherapy

Thanks for taking the time to read my story.

My story begins last spring when my daughter was at the end of her first pregnancy. It was a daunting experience for her to go through in a lockdown and we had to come to terms with the new rules and that meant that I could not be with her when she gave birth as only her partner was allowed.

It was strange to just be going to appointments on her own and just being dropped at the door of the hospital – a grown woman but still my girl and wanting support from me.

All the staff that she saw during her pregnancy and especially the birth were very reassuring and understanding of her anxieties and even though they could not do anything about it they helped to make the experience the best they could for her. Our gorgeous Grandson was born at the beginning of June and we were so proud of the little family and the new addition to our family. Our little Grandson has been an absolute joy and helped us through the toughest year we have ever experienced.

Special thanks to the Maternity Ward staff and the Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Team.

At Christmas, my whole family all tested positive with Covid -19. Throughout the year we had kept everyone safe, which had not been easy due to many key workers within the family bubble. My husband and mother were in high risk categories with underlying health conditions. My father although over 70 did not seem to be a high risk as he was very fit and active. Our symptoms slowly got worse over the days and by early January we needed assistance from Ambulance crews and our GP.

My dad and husband, were taken to Worthing Hospital and both spent time in the ICU ward. My husband returned home after eight days and is still slowly recovering from Covid.

My beloved dad, stayed in ICU and was put on a ventilator. The staff on Beacon Ward worked so hard to care for all the patients on the ward at that busy time and also they kept in touch with us (the family) and took our daily phone calls to find out any updates. Shortly it became apparent that there were too many patients in hospital and too many family members calling in each day so we were told that someone would call us everyday to update us.

We were contacted by a team running a program called ‘Knowing Me’. This was put in place to arrange some added comfort for critical patients on ICU, as we were not allowed to visit. The team collected family pictures, voice notes, music and videos to be played to Dad while he was on the ventilator.

They gathered information about him and what he was like before he got ill – he was very fit and active and loved walking and gardening. They put photos up around his bed of him and his family so that the staff could talk to him about things that were familiar to him. We were overwhelmed by the messages of support we received wishing him well, mainly from his beloved Brighton and Hove Albion FC, sporting legends, and dads’ favourite entertainment personalities from over the years.

Dad was so well looked after at Worthing Hospital where all the staff are under such pressure. I cannot imagine how hard it is for them to work in those conditions, seeing such devastation and having to try and return to their families for downtime with the fear of ending up in the same situation as their patients.

Sadly we said our final goodbye to our wonderful dad in early February, the day before his 74th birthday.

The wonderful team at ICU – Worthing hospital were lovely to us and they treated our Dad with compassion and dignity. He battled 27 days on the ventilator but devastatingly could not recover.

We have been fundraising for the ‘Love Your Hospital’ Charity, raising almost £4,000 and will continue this in Dad’s name as we are still ever grateful for the staff and for all they are doing.

Thank you for taking the time to read My Story.  Any donations you may be able to offer would be very much appreciated. Love Your Hospital provide vital funds to support hospital projects

Here are some of the NHS heroes who helped us through our most difficult time using the iPads to keep in contact with us.

There are so many staff to mention it would not be fair to single anyone out but I wish to thank all the staff in A&E, the Emergency Floor, Beacon Ward, Physiotherapists and all ICU Staff.

My colleagues in the Physiotherapy department have been so supportive and understanding and I cannot thank them enough, I would however like to give a special mention to and thanks to Amelia Palmer, Carla Price and my line manager Hayley Fairclough.

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Submitted by Trish
Senior Clinical Photographer

Having been a clinical photographer for 40 plus years, I have seen many things in my career and faced many difficult and interesting situations.

I worked in central London during some difficult times. People who lived there in the 80’s will remember all the bombings. Bomb scares happened on a regular basis, closing stations and cordoning off large areas of the city. The bomb squad would then arrive to make a controlled explosion of someone’s belongings.

However, sadly sometimes there were some horrendous incidents that we were called upon to take photographs of at the Westminster hospital. The patients injured in the Harrods bombing were brought to the Westminster. We took photographs both in theatre and on the ward of those victims. Another time there were photographs of the Chelsea Barracks nail bomb victims including body parts still with uniform attached.

I also was in theatre when the terrorist who shot the Israeli ambassador had to have a bullet fired by a body guard removed from the side of his skull. That time there were armed police in the theatre which was a first.

Wind forward to now and the present Covid-19 crisis.

Our department did a risk assessment of whether clinical photography in Covid positive areas would take place and it was decided that, as we tend to move from ward to ward it would not be sensible unless there was a safeguarding or essential clinical need. And ideally, these visits would take place at the end of our ward round using the required PPE. A decision was also made that we would not go into an area where patients were having aerosol generating procedure.

For me the risk of infection is always there in our job Covid or not and, as long as we follow the guidance and use the correct PPE, risks are kept to a minimum. I recognise that it is part of our job and I have always recognised that. We are also at much less risk than the nurses and doctors who are with the patients all day long.

Every time I go to a Covid red area I need to change into scrubs and I have got changed in some interesting places including a linen cupboard and numerous toilets, as most of our wards don’t have proper changing facilities.

I leave my camera bag outside the room or in the clean corridor. After taking my photographs I put my camera on a wipe able surface and take my PPE off in the correct way then wash my hands. I then wipe my camera and flash with a clinell wipe and put them in my bag. I then wipe my bag down and wash my hands again and leave.

Some very kind person made some cotton bags that we can put our scrubs into take home and wash at 60 degrees.

One of my lovely colleagues made us some button bands to wear with our mask to stop the mask digging into our ears.

I have to say the biggest challenge so far has been taking photographs with a visor on especially on the occasion when a very helpful nurse decided to give my visor a final wipe just as we went into the isolation room, smearing the visor and making it even more difficult to take photographs.

Considering all of the above I have always loved my job and have embraced all the challenges a clinical photographer has to face; Covid-19 is just another one of those challenges.

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Staff turned to the infection prevention team…

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Staff turned to the infection prevention team…

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Submitted by Sharon
Deputy Director of Infection Prevention

December 2019 – we heard rumblings of a faraway disease………we’re fine, it’s thousands of miles away!

January 2020 – the rumblings became little storms that we now had to prepare for. I’ve never sprinted from meeting to meeting before, with very little time to eat/digest food! I sat in board rooms with people I didn’t know well but within a matter of days it’s like we were never distant colleagues. Everyone had a voice and was respected for their knowledge and problem solving approaches. The number of times red/green pathways were discussed was phenomenal and soon it was realised ‘this’ was a moving feast.

February 2020 – Western Hospitals Sussex like to be first at most things but just once…….just once why did we have to be first?! A COVID-19 positive case at Worthing, and all prior to any real published guidance. Instinct took over, safe working practices kicked in (maybe a little over the top) and we all stayed late to take COVID tests from staff contacts. I’d never taken a COVID test before, this was new to all. Staff turned to the infection prevention team as the experts; however, within days everyone became infection control specialists and this I found interesting (I still do).

March 2020 – March 2021 – was the biggest challenge of my career. As a leader I was focused and strong, when at home I would be supported by my husband and children. I’ve cried, I’ve celebrated, I’ve lost weight, I’ve gained weight. I’ve been pulled in every direction possible and  nothing, not even an MSc in Infection control and years of experience in the specialist field, could prepare one for a pandemic and the curve balls it delivers on its path. The emotion, the distress, the workload we all carried was unmeasurable. However I look back at this last 15months with celebration for my colleagues, consolidation and unity of working with staff and a burning passion for how important infection prevention is to all.

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Occupational therapist help in critical care, and plant sunflowers…

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Occupational therapist help in critical care, and plant sunflowers…

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Submitted by Dee
Advanced Occupational Therapist and Joint Team Leader Orthopaedics and Surgery

There are two main things I have reflected on as part of the Occupational Therapy Department at St Richard’s Hospital and wanted to share.

The first thing was the introduction of Occupational Therapy (OT) into ITU.

The team focused on providing critical care rehab for both Covid and non-Covid Patients.

The therapy was holistic and wide ranging and individualised to what was meaningful for patients.

The team wasn’t fazed by the challenging and unfamiliar environment and PPE, but instead set about finding ways that OT could work with the ITU unit. With the help of the Physiotherapists to identify patients, OT’s carried out telephone calls to patient’s families allowing them time to talk about their loved one in ITU and what their life was like prior to Covid.

From their jobs and the important people in their life, to the names of their dogs and their hobbies, this allowed a laminate to be completed for each patient and placed by their bedside aiding staff with conversations, reassurance and fostering a feeling of “knowing” each patient better. The OT’s also collated pictures of the patients and their families and displayed these around the bed spaces.

The OT team helped re-orientate patients, providing daily boards reminding them of where they are, and the date and who is caring for them. Sometimes just spending time talking to them about their last memories before ITU and talking about dreams or hallucinations they may have had whilst intubated and sedated.

As patients entered the rehabilitation phase of the ITU recovery, the OT’s worked closely with the MDT and provided hand therapy and worked with patients to manage more of their daily living tasks independently.

OTs adapted and provided equipment to allow independent hair brushing, feeding, drinking. Teaching them to manipulate items in their hands again whilst strengthening and engaging them in meaningful activities. This naturally progressed to items such as playing games, video calling and even pegging washing out on a washing line. Some read to patients, played music and prayed with them.

One colleague said: “Working in ITU during the pandemic as an OT has been challenging but hugely rewarding and I am so proud of our team for doing so. Traditionally OT is often overlooked in areas of high dependency, but I have learnt that when the essence of someone’s life has been reduced to the bare basic functions, then their intervention and meaningful occupation or activities needs to reflect the same; focusing on the very basic building blocks of what makes us engaged and motivated.

“It has been a huge privilege to not only be involved with the care of patients in ITU but also to work alongside the most outstanding team of professionals who are so supportive, enthusiastic, devoted and quite simply magnificent. Nothing has ever been too much trouble, from talking us through the intricate PPE requirements to explaining in detail the complex medical needs of patient care, they have always made time and space for us, which ultimately has optimised our OT intervention. I will be forever thankful for the opportunity.”

The second reflection is sunflowers!

The Ortho Occupational Therapy Team planted sunflowers originally on the balcony at St Richard’s Hospital. The sunflowers were an idea to offer something bright and hopeful for patients. Originally, we hoped patients could plant them but as this was not an option due to infection control reasons, we were not deterred and planted them ourselves.

The sunflowers generated much discussion from patients and staff and were seemingly enjoyed by all who saw them. We collected the seeds from the grown sunflowers in the autumn of 2020 and packaged and gifted them to others in spring 2021 as a sign of hope. We hope by the time they flower in 2021 the world will be a brighter place.

One colleague said: “The sunflowers were our little Eden project, a small something we could do during Covid for others enjoyment”

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Submitted by Julie
Head of Nursing, Medicine Division

Here is an email, I sent to my team to mark the end of 2020:

Dear all,

As we enter the last day of 2020 I wanted to say a few things…

This year has been like nothing I have ever encountered in my 39 years at the Trust. I think a little virus called Covid 19 entered our lives sometime in Dec 19 and has caused us immense issues since Jan/Feb 2020.

While it has been a hugely challenging year for us all, with so many changes to patient pathways, supporting our staff teams and patients, and being physically and emotionally draining, I wanted to just say to everyone how amazing it has been to work so collaboratively with such a great team.

I have never known such commitment to ensure patient care is maintained to as high a standard as possible, with all of you and your teams working extra hours to respond instantly to every demand and challenge thrown at you.

To all my colleagues, you have all been amazing and just got on with it without any gripes or moans.

I have grown to sincerely love our daily meetings (weird I know), and despite all the C19 problems the positivity and humour (to help us all cope) that comes from the meeting helps us get through the days.

The constructive and supportive discussions for anyone with any new care issues has been so helpful in ensuring we all make the safest decisions every day.

I cherish the thought of not wearing a mask, everyone meeting in one room and seeing people actually smile, without having to put a hand up and ensure I am not muted and looking good on camera!!

Aware we are going to be doing this for the months ahead, but just wishing you all a safe and happy new year, and look forward to our ongoing collaborative working.

With love and great respect to you all.

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Submitted by Natalie

My Reflection of Covid.

The news of the spreading pandemic hit the UK. Suddenly in the hospital, we were aware that this new virus, once far away, was now here. Everyone was filled with dread and fear. Not knowing what to expect. Worried about loved ones at home. Worried about taking this virus through our front doors.

Both myself and my partner work in the hospital. We both found ourselves working in separate areas, but both on Covid positive zones.

It was just the beginning of April, when I received a call from my partner to say he had the shivers, and was going home. He didn’t have a temperature, just felt “rough”. Later that night, he was sitting up, looking flushed, a bit clammy. I decided due to where we where working, that Covid might be a possibility. He normally has a temperature of 35.8, so, when he went to 37.4, I decided we should isolate.

We phoned the Covid hotline and work. We do not own a car, and in 2020 there were no postal swabs. An ambulance was booked to swab us. For seven days we were isolated before the “swabulance” arrived. They took the swabs, and we were told to wait up to 48 hours for results. Later that night, my partner spiked a temperature of 39.8. Covid was not confirmed, so I started doing other observations, downloading a News2 app on my phone. He was scoring high, and I didn’t know if it was Covid, or sepsis. I phoned NHS 111.

They sent an ambulance. The ambulance arrived. They said they were not following NEWS2 scores, that as he was 42, normally fit and well, he was compensating. I continued observations. It was frightening being at home, isolated, without my colleagues there when I have a sick patient, and now it was my husband.

His breathing changed, his sats dropped, and I called another ambulance. He was taken to A&E. There he was seen, but at that time they did not think he needed admitting. He came home in a taxi. A few hours later, he rapidly deteriorated, and another ambulance came. This time, he was carried down the stairs, with a non rebreathe oxygen on, and sped away with blue lights.

The ambulance crew before they left, wouldn’t let me touch him or hug him. They said I had to keep distance, even though I had been tending to him the whole time. I stood in my door way, watching the blue lights disappear, not knowing if I would see him again. Now I had to call his parents in Denmark. I stood there is shock, and tried to explain what had happened.

I heard my mother-in-law scream, and then heard the phone drop. That broke me. I went back in the house. The silence was deafening, the only sound was the thumping of my heart. My phone at my side, I sat there in silence, on the edge of my seat, in a state of pure panic. Every sound made me jump.

Finally, four hours later, I got a video call from my partner. He was in my department, being looked after by my work colleagues. He felt tired, so he said he would leave his phone on the side, on video call because I could see him. He knows I’m a control freak.

I was looking at him. A nurse came in, and then the emergency bell went off. Shortly after, the medical emergency team arrived, and I sat there in horror realising that I was seeing something I shouldn’t.

I had to make the decision to disconnect the video call, but frightened that this might be the last time I see him. He managed to look at his phone, while gasping to breathe, and whispered “I love you, hug Reuben” (our dog).

That moment broke me. He was potentially dying, but thinking of me rather than himself. I ended the call when I saw a nurse from Outreach sitting with him, holding his hand, whilst waiting for an ITU bed. A few minutes later, the dreaded phone call from the hospital. I knew the conversation pathway. I knew what was coming. I felt detached. It was my colleague ringing me, to tell me my partner was deteriorating, and was being moved to intensive care.

A doctor would ring me when he had been stabilised. There was nothing I could do, just sit there, phone in my hand, hearing my heart beat, body tense as a board, whilst I waited to hear his fate. I couldn’t even go to the toilet… What if they rang at that moment? Five hours, I sat there… Not moving, barely breathing, hearing my heart beat.

The phone call came. He was not doing well. They were going to intubate, but even then, they were not sure if he was going to make it. Do I want to come in and say goodbye? It was 3am, in Denmark it was 4am. In broken tears I had to ring his parents. Break them too. About 4.30am, I got the call to say, he had turned a corner. He was stabilising, but still very critical, not to get my hopes up.

I didn’t move, I think I didn’t move for 12 hours, maybe 18. Two if my work colleagues came to the back of my flat, bless them, and dropped of wine and chocolate. Just seeing them through the window, my work family, I didn’t feel so alone. They were crying, and so was I. Later on, I got a call to say he is stabilising on high flow oxygen.

He is on trial Covid drugs. My partner later phoned, with an NG tube to decompress him, and wearing a CPAP hood, that they were trying to fit his rather huge head. He thought now was the time to do star wars impressions “Luke….. I…. Am…your…father….”. Even critically ill, he was trying to make me laugh. The photo included is from the video call where he told me, it’s official… I am going to live.

It was another few weeks before he came home. Nearly three stone lighter.

A year on, and the real deep inner tears are just starting to make their way out. At the time, I had no time to deal with my feelings. I had to help his mum and dad over the phone. I had to help him recover. My focus was on him, how he was feeling. How was he dealing with almost dying. Hearing him wake up from nightmares. I had no time to deal with my own.

A year on, and it’s caught up with me. I’m now having to take some time, to cry those tears that did not fall. To unbury those feelings, so I too can heal.

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Submitted by Heather
Administrator Voluntary Services

In a challenging year full of pandemic lows, my Covid story reflects a positive high point for a couple whose paths would not have crossed in normal times.

The story starts in June 2020 at the height of the pandemic when the Project Wingman Lounge landed at St Richard’s Hospital and the furloughed BA and Easyjet crew flew in to create a calm and welcoming retreat for Hospital staff.

Alongside Project Wingman organisers, St Richard’s Voluntary Services helped welcome and prepare the Volunteer Wingmen and women to start their volunteering at St Richard’s. The team had the pleasure of meeting many selfless individuals who wanted to step up to support the NHS during the pandemic.

It was around this time that my work colleague and friend first met an Easyjet Pilot and senior First Officer, who offered her a cup of tea (telling her “I hope this isn’t the worst cup of tea you’ve ever had!”), along with a piece of his homemade ‘signature’ “Rocky Road” cake, which has since become a firm favourite in the Lounge.

In between the busy sessions in the Wingman Lounge and the daily operations in the volunteering office, the pair slowly got to know each other and their friendship began to flourish.

A few months, and many, many slices of cake later, the couple decided, after realising they had many shared interests; which included, hiking, cycling, travelling and a shared love of cooking, to meet up outside of work.

At the end of October 2020, they enjoyed their first date at a local country pub. Despite the pandemic restrictions, two lockdowns and a spell of self-isolation, they have recently celebrated six months together, at the same place where they had their first date.

The future looks promising for such a lovely couple and is an inspiring Covid Story of two people finding love during the pandemic.

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Re-affirming my research and nursing vocation

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Re-affirming my research and nursing vocation

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Submitted by Emma
Clinical Stroke and Senior Ophthamology Research Nurse

When the pandemic was announced back in March 2020, I really didn’t think it was going to materialise into anything big! It wasn’t until I heard all the news reports from around the world that it dawned on me that this was indeed something huge and it was going to be a historic moment in our life time.

When our Prime Minister Boris Johnson made his announcement on 23/03/2020 everything changed for our nation and our lives changed completely. We began to live in a time of social distancing, wearing PPE and not seeing our families and friends, because we didn’t want to put our loved ones at risk.

I have been a nurse for the last 20 years. I love my job. I know it was my vocation in life. During these hard times I felt fortunate to be able to still go into work and do the job I love. I am someone who needs to keep busy.

My coping mechanism was to work and to keep busy. My post changed dramatically. I had just been given the opportunity to lead the Ophthalmology research portfolio within the Sussex Eye Hospital, and then the pandemic started!

I was having to juggle Ophthalmology and Covid Research. Going into Red areas to recruit patients to clinical trials to find out more about the disease, find treatments and collect high quality data to help the world’s population.

I also felt very proud of my profession and my fellow colleagues who were working in such uncomfortable environments and putting themselves and their families at risk because at that point everything was so unknown.

I also got involved with additional vaccine shifts to assist in the mass vaccination program, which I feel proud to be part of and knowing I was helping to protect my fellow colleagues. It was great to work with colleagues I hadn’t worked with before or who I hadn’t worked with for a very, very long time!

The research department were also involved with an a new vaccine trial recruiting healthy volunteers to see if the vaccine was effective and safe to use. This study has shown how we all came together and delivered high quality research in a very safe environment.

I feel the pandemic has given research a platform and our colleagues now know that we are here, and not just behind the scenes but out in clinical areas to help our patients and to improve the health of the nation.

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Submitted by Andrea
Occupational Therapist

In 2018, after 32 years working in occupational therapy I decided to take some time out for myself. I never imagined that two years later I would be put back on the frontline at the Princess Royal Hospital doing the job that I love.

Any worries I had about being back at the hospital were allayed by the support of my wonderful colleagues and my many hospital friends who were still working there. With my voluntary activities stopped at the start of lockdown, it was lovely to be working and providing a ‘normal’ service to patients who had been admitted during such frightening times, when their families weren’t able to be with them.

Reassuringly, very little had changed operationally, and many years at the hospital meant things were reassuringly familiar. On the hardest days in January and February 2021, we all appreciated the small things being sent in by the public, the charity and the Heroes Lounge with the wonderful airline staff.

Working on the bank I found it hard to say no when there was work to be covered and worked many more hours than I had anticipated. I’ve now returned to the permanent register and will stay on the bank to cover any further pressures in the next few months.

Meantime my volunteering activities are restarting soon and my garden is calling!

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Submitted by Craig and Hazel
Junior Charge Nurse

At the beginning of the pandemic, we both were nurses at the Princess Royal Hospital. Hazel was a Ward Sister and I was a Staff Nurse (although I have since moved on to be a Junior Charge Nurse).

We had worked together for about three years prior to the pandemic. Just before the first lockdown was announced we, along with a few others, went for a walk. Although we had been good friends on the ward for a while, Hazel and I had never really spent any great length of time together. We ended up getting lunch after the walk and got chatting.

Lockdown then hit and the effects of the virus and the stresses of nursing increased as our ward became a Covid ward.

However, Hazel and I continued to talk more and more. We became very close, supporting each other through the very difficult days, including when one of our colleagues was taken to London as a result of contracting Covid. Working together, we understood the difficulties we were both going through and were able to support each other so much better because of this.

We became a lot closer as time went on, eventually deciding to become a couple. Since then, we have moved in together, along with pets and kids on both sides. We then also had the (very) unexpected surprise of discovering Hazel was pregnant and have recently welcomed our daughter Beatrix to the world.

Before Covid we were two single people who happened to work together. We became close because of Covid, our relationship was really shaped by Covid. But we’ve come away having found a person each who we really love and cherish and who makes our days better and happier.

I know it is a very gooey story but we appreciate how this whole period has been particularly bad for lots of people and believe this is one of the nicer things to have come from it.

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Submitted by: Mel, Rotational Physiotherapist

Working on ICU during the peak of covid was an unforgettable experience.

During this time, I was treating both general ICU patients and covid ICU patients. Covid patients tended to have high oxygen requirements, and although some would wean off their oxygen quite quickly, others would deteriorate and continue with their treatment on a ventilator until they were well enough to wean off. We would treat patients at all stages of their critical care journey to ensure their muscles maintained range and provide chest physiotherapy to optimise their lungs.

We all adopted new ways of working to be able to cope with the workload and remain efficient within our roles. The donning of PPE was a pressure in itself and working with heavy patients with this amount of gear on was hot, sweaty and incredibly uncomfortable. It was a challenge to recognise colleagues and very difficult to communicate in those conditions.

As a member of the critical care team, I did everything possible to assist with the surge beyond my scope of practice. I helped to relocate equipment to set up additional ICU beds, assisted with manual handling of patients, learned how to take an ABG in order to be able to run blood gasses, and assisted with night shifts when staffing levels were poor. There were days when I took on the role of HCA and provided help with patient’s personal care, and my colleagues and I would often try and take the pressure off the nursing staff and relieve them for their breaks.

There was sadness on the wards when coping with the loss of patients. Some weeks I would leave work on a Friday to find that by Monday nearly half of my case load had passed away. Those beds were quickly filled with new patients requiring critical treatment for covid. We acknowledged this as a team and supported each other personally and professionally.

It was incredible to witness the variety of staff who helped with the surge, many of those having been re-deployed from other departments with no previous ICU exposure. I was happy to give them my time to help familiarise them with the department and patients. As a collective the entire ICU team worked tremendously, and I also feel these times have shown how strong and adaptable the physiotherapy team is. It was truly extraordinary how we all supported one another.

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We were lucky to have a plan to cover the units during the second surge based on our experience the year before. This was rapidly adopted and all the inpatient (IP) teams stepped up to ensure that all the patients across the hospital received the care they needed.

Again, we were lucky to have some redeployed staff from outpatients join the IP team and work in areas they had not done for some time.  These staff enabled other teams to take on our wards and allow us to purely cover the rapidly expanded Critical care which went from 31 beds to approx 70. We were covering L7 green, L7a red, L5 red and recovery green, with 6 team members. Our colleagues in major trauma kindly cared for patients in the newly expanded red HDU in the children’s hospital.

We all managed new ways of working calmly with great support and cooperation across the entire IP service. The team also had junior rotations in the middle of the surge and the new juniors settled in quickly, despite their anxiety about working in full PPE on red wards, in a new rotation, in a scary place!

Working on critical care means my staff have skills and knowledge with ventilators, cardiovascular interventions and monitoring, respiratory illnesses and management of positioning and mobilisation. COVID patients often had significant oxygenation and cardiovascular issues which made our role in rehabilitation vital with our knowledge of exercise physiology in critically unwell patients.

We worked very closely with the nursing staff, doing personal care, assisting with proning and mobilisation. We often did work that was not ‘usual’ for physios to do including taking blood gases, MRSA swabs, documenting in and outputs and monitoring critically unwell patients whilst nurses took their well-deserved breaks.

The team really pulled together and supported each other not just professionally but personally. Lockdown was hard on everyone.

For me – this team is MY team of the month – in fact of the surge! They were amazing and I firmly believe that we were a vital part of the critical care team.

Katy, Team lead physiotherapist

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Submitted by Kayleigh, Senior Physiotherapist

We were fortunate that ahead of the surge at the beginning of the 2021, redeployed staff were able to cover some of our usual caseload on the wards, so we were able to invest all of our time into the ever expanding Critical Care. What initially felt like a very daunting place to be, soon became a complete united front across all professions, and our team were able to work seamlessly with the nursing staff to provide therapeutic intervention where needed.

During the peak, I understood that due to the increase in Critical Care patients and bed pressures, the department had difficulty sourcing staff for the night shifts. My line manager and the nursing team were incredibly supportive and grateful when I offered to help cover these. Because of the knowledge we already have in working with ventilated patients, managing tracheostomies and quickly deteriorating chests, I felt I could utilise my skills by helping overnight.

Whilst there are many aspects of the nursing role which fall outside of my scope of practice, the ITU practice educators were able to train me up at short notice so I was able to further help.

The quiet resilience of all of the Critical Care staff working under such high-pressured circumstances is something that has really inspired me, and I am so grateful and proud to have been not only part of the Physiotherapy team, but a small part of Critical Care.

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If you only had one hour left with your loved one, what would you say…

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If you only had one hour left with your loved one, what would you say…

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Submitted by an anonymous staff member working on the Covid ward at St Richard’s Hospital

For three weeks I have been working on a ward of Covid positive patients who are deemed not suitable for escalation beyond steroids and oxygen support.

In the main part I speak to lots of patient families, sharing updates on their condition daily. This can be quite heart breaking, often I found myself preparing families for the inevitable.

For some, those who are capable of talking to their loved ones, I set up video calls. Covid has ripped families apart both in and out of hospital and this physical separation is never more brutal than at the end of life.

Even though my execution of these calls hasn’t always been smooth, witnessing families reunite and the joy this can bring in such times of sadness, has been moving beyond words.

Beyond this, I have been helping out on the ward in any way I can. I’ve comforted and stroked a lot of hands and found that spending time feeding those who no longer have the energy to lift their arms to feed themselves has been sobering.

I have had moments when I’ve cried my eyes out. Witnessing a couple, married for 70 years, having to say their goodbyes broke my heart….. and reading a letter from a lifelong partner to a dying man led me to sob uncontrollably. I tried to hide it from the patient but it was just so sad beyond words I couldn’t keep it together.

It really makes you think, if you only had one hour left with the person you love most in the world, what would you say?

At times I also felt like I became an honorary member of families. I would speak to them so often that I would probably recognise them on the street now.

One patient who was slowly passing away would drift in an out of consciousness. He had an iPad which I would set up slideshows of all his old photos. He loved that and so did I and we did manage to laugh at times even during the darkness.

Covid is savage. We could see when a patient started to deteriorate what their next few days would be like. ‘She’s not going to make it’ were predictions that seemed so stark at first but always turned out correct. At times it felt as if I was watching people drown.

No matter what we did to try and send a lifeline (steroids and oxygen) we just couldn’t grab their hands. And as they struggled for breath, I offered what felt like hollow words of encouragement such as ‘keep fighting’.

And some patients would fight so very hard, reenergised by seeing a video of a great grandchild or hearing their granddaughters voice on the phone, but ultimately what is being asked of them is just too much. It’s like asking someone to run a marathon for days on end and they just cannot do it. No one can do that.

The staff on the wards are such gems – here are just a few:

Leanne, the incredible big hearted nurse who cares for her patients in a bubbly friendly no- nonsense way. If, and when you pass to the next life, she is the sort of nurse you want near you at the end.

Nicky, the calm and level headed ward sister. She can get a 90-year-old out of bed whilst simultaneously give me instructions through the curtains how to get the saturation probe to work. Her impeccable manners and patience seem limitless.

Nurses Chloe, Liz, Rosemary, Antonia and many more, working so very very hard day in day out.

Jane and Sharon, the ward receptionists, who both contracted Covid in the line of duty and gifted it to their families for Christmas. So generous of them

The cleaning gentlemen, who constantly and fastidiously mop and wipe the ward spotlessly clean. What a job in these times.

The physiotherapists and occupational therapist, Cindy, who really get the patients moving forward in their recovery when their inclination is to stay in bed.

Linda, Debs, Amber and all the other lovely Health Care Assistants, who smile and coax the patients through this dreadful experience-washing and toileting them, always with warm words of encouragement.

Claire, the discharge coordinator, who has the unenviable task of finding homes for patients to be safely discharged to. This is a role that seems to have a level of complexity I could not begin to get my head around in three weeks. I’ve passed two degrees with less revision time.

The incredibly talented junior doctors and physician assistants who slog it out tirelessly day in, day out. They are staggeringly capable.

And Jackie and David, the dedicated, committed, thorough, kind and caring Consultant Geriatricians. What a pair. Amazing.

I cannot thank them all enough for giving me the opportunity to support them. I am exhausted after three weeks. I don’t know how they can withstand this intensity long term.

They all deserve our deepest respect. And a medal.

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I have really treasured working as part of the admin team for the Vaccination Hub at St Richards.  Because of cancelled meetings and altered priorities, I was able to offer half of my substantive hours to the hub.

I found it really rewarding to be part of something that would help bring us out of the pandemic and to offer hope and reassurance to those living in fear.  Everyone was so grateful to be receiving their vaccinations.  For some it was the first time they had been amongst other people for a year and found the experience emotional and unnerving.

I remember booking one lady in for her 2nd appointment, a work colleague of hers was booking in at a neighbouring desk and there was some banter between us all as they fought to see who could get the appointment first.  The room was buzzing with chatter and everyone’s spirits were high as the sense of relief for some was palpable.

The next lady I booked in was watery eyed as she explained it was the first time she had heard laughter for a year and said that under her mask she was beaming and her heart was full.  Isn’t it funny how you can see people’s smiles without seeing their mouths?!  The team have been fantastic to work with as well; always happy, hard-working, welcoming, supportive, fun and flexible.  The camaraderie has been very special, I’ve met some wonderful people and we’re all looking forward to a social night out when we can.

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As a Covid-19 victim who witnessed agonising deaths and grieving families and friends at work due to the pandemic restrictions, I realised that no one can understand how you truly feel until they are in your shoes and experience it the way you did. But I know someday, everything will make perfect sense… so, for now, laugh at the confusions, smile through the tears and pain and let’s keep reminding ourselves that everything happens for a reason.

Try to consider a holistic approach in all of your dealings and to whoever you encounter along the way. Please be kind as our loved ones may try to lighten our load or lift our spirits, but unfortunately, their efforts can fall short. No one really knows the secrets locked away in other people’s hearts.

Xel, Senior Staff Nurse, Worthing

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Submitted by Tina
Private and Overseas Manager

In the first wave of the pandemic, I was asked to go and support the Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) in the Incident Room to help with any queries or worries that staff, public and patients may have. This included calling patients about cancelling appointments or procedure and completing any information about the patients onto the systems.

I also helped create Covid-safe office areas, by moving desks and furniture across the site to be two metres apart. Staff were very grateful that the time had been taken to come and assess, review and address their issues.

Also we had a lot of donations from the public that needed to be taken to areas of use to staff at work or at home – the list of donation’s is too long to add – and we are still receiving some today! The public and community have been amazing in helping us with anything we needed like scrubs and scrub bags.

We were given rooms to use by members of the public for staff to use who wanted to protect their family if they were working on infected areas. So by having a temporary accommodation for them to stay was amazing.

We were given a two bedroom flat (which we made into a three bedroom) free of charge with no furniture.

Within 24 hours after putting a shout out on social media, we had the flat kitted out with everything even down to tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter and tinned food for our staff to use. The community really did step up and the feeling was great! We have many pictures of staff receiving gifts like food parcels of hot food in general.

I was also asked to help set up the Covid testing hub at PRH. And when lateral flow tests came out in November 2021, I was asked to be a contact at PRH to help deliver them to staff members.

During the third wave, I was involved in helping allocating patients to go out to the independent sector (IS). It was great to see how the IS worked, and how we worked together.

This was a team effort and I am very proud of working in PRH. All the staff are very accommodating and helpful in all that was achieved and is still being achieving.

On reflection of this, it’s clear that we are able to work very closely and efficiently and in all areas together to get results.

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Submitted by Vicky
Senior Staff Nurse, Main Theatres, Worthing

Where to start, that’s the first thing I find myself asking.

This year has been like no other, at home and my career to date. In many ways I feel I have lived the past year in a dream! Was this real? Were there really queues outside the supermarkets, and worrying whether we’d be able to buy toilet roll as we were down to our last roll at home, with four of us in the house!!!

Have we genuinely lived and worked through a worldwide pandemic? Or has this been a bizarre and frightening recurring dream, that I’ll eventually wake up from thinking, ‘Well that was weird!’.

During the first wave I felt mainly fear and anxiety. No-one knew what to expect. Days were spent preparing, and training, how to don and doff, proning and some of the key skills that maybe required to work in ITU.

It was overwhelming. Honestly the first wave is a bit of a blur, one minute it was busy, with a constant stream of patients, living from one shift to the next and then it just seemed to slow to a stop. I don’t think I really took much time to look back and reflect, I just got on with day to day life.

Then came a lull, where in theatres we returned to some relative normality. But there was a nervous tension. We all knew there would be a second wave, it was just a matter of when and would it be as bad or worse than first time round.

When the second wave began, many of the anxieties from before returned, but the fear this time was more focussed on just how bad things could get.

Case numbers were so much higher than the first wave, the situation seemed to escalate much quicker and we were suddenly right in the middle of everything.

There was no down time between shifts, I was constantly thinking about what was happening on the unit, who was recovering or who else may have died.

I felt a lot of guilt.

Guilt that I wasn’t giving enough time to my family and friends, who gave me hugs when I needed them and the messages of love and support from those I could not be with.

Guilt for my patients. I found myself questioning everything I did. Was I providing the best care this patient deserved? If a patient deteriorated, I would worry that I had missed something that an ITU nurse would have picked up? I needed to constantly give myself pep talks, or be reminded that this is not my specialist area and that I was providing care to the best of my abilities. But was I?

I guess I had a certain amount of survivors guilt. My family, friends and I have got through this relatively unscathed and I was reminded of the patients we had lost.

Relatively speaking 12 hours does not seem time enough to forge an attachment to patients, believe me it is.

I have found it very difficult coming to terms with the loss of patients, it is not a daily occurrence within theatres and even now I find myself thinking of them, their families and it is an emotional struggle.

I have an enormous amount of gratitude, not just to my family and friends, but to my colleagues, both in theatres and the new friendships with the amazing ITU nurses.

I am grateful to the ITU staff and anaesthetists, who supported me through each gruelling shift, with my constant worry and unending questions. They always had time to offer support and guidance, even though they too were stressed.

I am grateful to my colleagues, some of whom I have forged stronger bonds through our shared trauma and experiences. After all, only those who have journeyed the same path can truly understand.

We came together and supported each other like one huge family, at a time of crisis and I honestly could not have survived without them.

Now I feel we are teetering on a cliff edge. Case numbers have decreased dramatically and things are beginning to return to normal, but there is a nervousness about what the future holds.

I wonder how many others are concerned as I am, about a possible third wave.

But I have found a resilience and inner strength in myself, that until now I didn’t fully appreciate and I know I will survive, whatever else Covid decides to throw at me!

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Submitted by Wilson
Assistant Director IT, RSCH

During Covid, the IT teams across all sites supplied over 1,200 Laptops, PC’s, Phones and nearly 1,000 headphones and accessories.

This enabled departments, like HR, payroll and the patient booking service, to continue their service from remote and home locations.

We expanded our internet provision to five times its normal capacity to enable over 1,800 staff to work from home.

The introduction of Teams and technology to allow patient video consultations has forever changed the way we work.

It was a fantastic team effort that has really strengthened the team morale.

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No hierarchy, just the sense of wanting to help in any way we could…

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No hierarchy, just the sense of wanting to help in any way we could…

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Submitted by Sam
Medical Education Manager, PGME

During the first wave it was a shock to the system, lots of ‘quick to react’ working as none of us had any idea of the impact Covid was going to have across the organisation.

The teamwork was phenomenal: from those on the front line on wards, A&E and ITU to those of us ‘behind the scenes’.

During the second wave, we had insight to know that this would be worse. But we were prepared – as prepared as we could be. We had better systems in place and again I worked with other teams such as the executives and the rota teams to ensure that cover was where it was needed.

We knew the impact the first surge had on our trainees, so we tried hard to protect their health and well-being as well as their education. We learned lessons from the first surge, and it worked well. It gave me a much wider view of the organisation and how the hospital worked. Working with the executive and rota teams is something that I am truly grateful for. We were a great team.

I am so proud of the organisation I work for, and for the way we worked to pull together any resources. Consultants stepped out of their comfort zones to help and support areas they were not specialised in, some stepping down into senior house officer roles. Trainees worked as HCAs to support gaps on the wards. There was a general sense of people pulling together. No hierarchy, just the sense of wanting to help in any way we could.

However, for me, personally, i felt so helpless seeing how many unwell patients were being admitted on a daily basis, along with how staff were also affected. I felt particularly helpless when seeing calls come out via our WhatsApp group for urgent cover needed in ITU and the wards, just any cover.

I remember on a Saturday morning after receiving one of these messages feeling so tearful at the visualisation of what my colleagues must have been going through and not being able to support them. This was a truly low moment in the reality of this cruel and unforgiving virus for me. I know on reflection that as a non-clinical person that I was doing ‘my bit’ for the cause, but the sheer overwhelming sense of helplessness is something that I will never forget.

On reflection, none of us were ‘just’ a cleaner, porter, administrator, managers, nurse, doctor etc.. We were a team of people supporting in any way that we could, just ‘doing our bit’.

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Submitted by Shirley
Accommodation Officer

The first lock down I remember it being so peaceful and quiet and no cars on the road. I could hear the birds singing again.

But at work we were not singing but trying to adapt to a very different way of working. Apart from panic and concern for our colleagues and tenants, it soon became clear that things were going to be done differently.

The call went out that we had to protect our tenants and that meant no more long term bookings. Our own clinical staff also needed protecting, so we arranged emergency rooms for them to rest in after their exhausting shifts.

Behind the scenes it was scary. The masks went on, the hand gel was everywhere. People were scared to touch anything in case they picked something up.

Our offices were changed, people sat further apart, glass screens went in to separate us, it became isolating but safer, notices went up all over the place: keep safe, wash hands.

We dealt with those that had a positive test and were unable to work. They stayed in their rooms/flats until the period had passed and they could return.

We had to make sure our cleaning team were also safe, by issuing extra protective aprons and gloves and special cleaning products.

Room bookings were few and far between, but we continued to try and maintain help through steering people to the Covid Hotels Booking system.

This meant that people who had to shield from their loved ones could do so safely. We were unable to place them in with our own staff as that would lead to unwanted outbreaks that would jeopardize the work force. Some fraught conversations were had as people were panicking.

It’s hard to remember those early days, but as lockdowns continued the issues changed.

We then had to deal with staff joining the Trust from abroad and the isolation period that some countries had to adhere to. The so called ‘Red list’, which meant the overseas team had to go into Government bases hotels to quarantine. We had to double check all those coming from abroad to make sure our staff and colleagues were safe.

As the death rate continues to fall, we are slowly returning to the new normal.

Our accommodation is now required again and people feel safe coming to us.

We soldier on armed with facemasks and gel. I am just so grateful that I was able to carry on working throughout and that my family and colleagues are all safe.

I want to see people smile again without masks on, but that is in the future and one that I am looking forward to seeing safely when that day arrives.

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Real strength in working together as a team…

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Real strength in working together as a team…

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Submitted by Simon
Consultant Gastroenterologist & Chief of Service – Medicine and Unscheduled Care Division

I would like to share the story of how the Trust’s front line staff came together to offer practical advice, reflection, clinical discussion and mutual support from the very start of the Covid pandemic.

Just as soon as Covid hit West Sussex, I set up a meeting with the front line physicians and nurses with the aim of coming together to talk about what was coming and how we would cope with it.

The original group was very small, including representatives from emergency department, emergency floor, respiratory, microbiology and intensive care.

From the very first meeting, we immediately realised that the need for talking and sharing was great. We then started meeting every day for one hour. Initially, people just needed to come together to share the news from what was happening in other countries and elsewhere in the UK, and voice their worries and anxieties about what was clearly to come.

The meetings were cross-site right from the word go, in the spirit of sharing as much information and emotional support as possible.

It soon became clear that the COVID operational group would become a vital function in dealing with the pandemic.

What followed in the next weeks and months was one of the most extraordinary and uplifting experiences of my professional life.

Gradually, the meeting became larger and larger, including doctors, nurses and managers representatives from every specialty, not just medical but also from all other divisions.

Junior doctors’ representatives joined early on, and played a hugely important role in making sure that all doctors in the trust were aware of what was going on, organised training, participated in rota management, etc.  More matrons and nurses joined; the site teams were present every day. It was not unusual to have 60+ people coming to the meetings every day.

A lot of the clinical pathways, standard operating procedures, management algorithms were designed, agreed and communicated here. All the ward changes (and there were many) were discussed here.

All potential obstacles and problems were troubleshot here. The core purpose of this group, mutual support and understanding, continued to be the bedrock of all collaborations between different specialties and different staff groups.

Everyone learnt about what everyone else was facing and how they were coping with it, and each of us ultimately gained a greater understanding of the other.

I believe that is partly thanks to this forum that we saw such a great will for doctors and nurses to go out of their comfort zone and help their colleagues on other wards, join in Covid rotas, etc., which is what ultimately delivered such good outcomes for our patients.

The group also joined together on a WhatsApp group, which was active day and night, seven days a week, and linked people to aid problem solving in real time. Often message of wellbeing initiatives and mutual support were posted by members of the group.

As we come out of the worst of the COVID pandemic, we continue to meet, not every day but just once a week now, and we have optimistically scrapped the word COVID and re-named our group as ‘Medicine ops group’.

Attendance remains very high, perhaps reflecting the persisting need to talk about what happened and how we are going to resume our ‘normal lives’.

I believe that a lot of good, lasting changes have come out of the pandemic.

I will forever remember how everyone came together to talk, share and help their colleagues.

COVID, like no other event in our professional lives, has taught us that there is real strength in coming out of our comfort zone and working together as a team, and I hope this is a lesson we have now learned for good.

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Submitted by Radoslaw
Car Parking Attendant, Worthing

My Covid-19 story begins in March 2020. It took me, just like everyone else, completely by surprise. I never thought we would have to go through such unpleasant times. It has influenced me greatly and had an impact on how I view the world.

At the end of March, it was decided that we would be lifting all barriers for both staff and public in all carparks on site allowing free parking. As a result of this I was redeployed to the portering department.

At the time I did not know how long I was being redeployed for, but it ended up being about four months. I was looking forward to this as I had not had a chance to work with the porters before and was eager to learn what they do. I was more than happy that I would be able to contribute during those uncertain times.

At first, I was helping out the waste team but was quickly moved onto the floor to help with patient transport. I also helped out the stores for some time as well as the post office. I was later moved to pharmacy to assist with the distribution of medicine to wards. At the end of my redeployment I was asked to assist with distribution of masks and gloves to different departments and wards.

One of the challenges for me personally was the work hours as I had to often come in at 6.00 am. My normal starting hours would be 8.00 am. However, I got to work with people who I normally wouldn’t see on the corridors and around the hospital so that was fun. I have also done quite a few shifts on bank to help with staff shortages.

I am overall grateful for the experience. I got to see how other departments work without actually having to change jobs. After about four months I was able to come back to parking.

More and more clinics and appointments were being scheduled and parking came under increasing pressure as general public had problems finding enough parking spaces.

A few months later, after another lockdown, visitors were no longer allowed on any of the wards. I was asked to help with delivering of patient belongings from relatives to the wards. This was usually done once or twice a day except for weekends, when it had to be done multiple times. Some days, the number of these bags exceeded 50.

I can only hope that my involvement helped and eased things for porters even just a little bit. That thought makes me happy.

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If I can survive being a surgical matron in a pandemic, I can do anything…

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If I can survive being a surgical matron in a pandemic, I can do anything…

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Submitted by Ruth
Surgical Matron, Southlands

As the Matron at Southlands, I was responsible for both the day surgery team and the Ophthalmic team; both teams had very different experiences of the pandemic.

One day in mid-March 2020, I had a phone call to ask me to send equipment from Southlands to main theatres at Worthing, as we got ready for the first wave. I remember loading up the van and looking at all the equipment wondering when we would see it again at Southlands. Little did we know that it would be a full year before services resumed for us.

The day surgery nursing team were sent to theatres and ITU at Worthing to support the teams there. Over the next few months the team amazed me with their resilience and team spirit.

I was so proud of each and every one of them because not only had they moved hospitals they had gone from being day surgery nurses to critical care nurses!! We had many tears and at some time each and every one of them has needed support either from myself or each other.

The other half of my role as Ophthalmic Matron was very different as this service continued to run all be it at a reduced capacity.

We introduced social distancing to all our clinic areas and increased cleaning of all areas. Ophthalmology is a huge speciality with vast numbers of patients visiting every week, so it was important that they felt safe as missed appointments could result in the loss of their eyesight.

Both these areas have worked so hard throughout the pandemic to care for the patients to the highest standard in an ever-changing world, always putting the patient first.

During this time, I was seconded into this role on an eight-month contract, so it was all very new to me. By the end of 2020, I applied and was successful for the permanent position.

I feel if I can survive being a surgical matron in a pandemic, I can do anything!!

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Submitted by Rebecca
Superintendent Sonographer, Worthing

Twelve months ago we were afraid. We were thinking on our feet and attempting to cope with change at every second! We were helpless and unfamiliar.

For us in ultrasound, we never stopped. Obstetrics services kept going and we maintained Radiology urgent clinics and covered weekend shifts for Radiologists: limiting their exposure and releasing them for reporting.

PPE was new – we were so anxious ‘were we doing it right?’ Our services were moving around different locations. We were here, there, and everywhere.

Day by day, we kept up with a changing service with high diagnostic quality. We found joy in the small things – appreciation, knowing we are not alone, support from colleagues, and from within our own Ultrasound team.

We came under extreme pressure from Maternity advocacy groups to allow partners back into scans (this had been stopped – to ensure patient safety). In the end, we negotiated a compromise.

And now, we are still here…we are still scanning and we are still providing a wonderful diagnostic service.

Taking time to talk to people – scanning people and giving reassurance and/or urgent referrals sometimes in really uncertain times.

We are proud to work here. It’s been difficult and people are tired but as a team we have pulled together and become stronger.

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Cardiac Rehabilitation Team become movie stars

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Cardiac Rehabilitation Team become movie stars

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Submitted by Karen

We are a team of three Cardiac Specialist Nurses, two Physiotherapist and a Cardiac Exercise Specialist, providing time sensitive information and advice.

Although during the first lockdown, we continued to speak to and send tailor made information specific to the patient’s needs, it became clear that providing our cardiac rehab patients with written exercises was inadequate and unsatisfactory. We quickly realised that in the absence of our exercise classes we needed to be able to provide a visual exercise programme for patients to follow.

We trawled the internet to see what was available in video form, but nothing resembled our programme. So, armed with a video camera, lots of enthusiasm and much hilarity, we set out to film each level of our exercise classes. We starred in the videos ourselves and our lead physio was camerawoman, director and editor extraordinaire!

Early in April 2020, we were able to provide the exercise videos to our patients to support our telephone advice. It has made a tremendous difference for patients to be able to see what they should be doing, and have something to follow at home. With additional assessment tools this enabled us to progress exercise intensity with confidence.

Watching the video also meant the patients were able to put a face to a name, as the people they were talking to on the telephone were the people starring in the video. The combination of the exercise videos and regular telephone follow up meant that we could continue to provide our patients with the much needed timely exercise and specialist advice that they require following a cardiac event, intervention or surgery.

Although we were able to restore face to face assessments, we still relied heavily on the exercise videos as we were unable to restart our group exercise sessions safely.

However, on the introduction of lockdown two, it was a seamless transition back to remote support using the telephone and exercise videos again. This meant that as a team we were able to continue providing a service for our patients despite most members of the team being redeployed to other areas.

We are proud that we have been able to continue our service throughout the past year having acted quickly to make our own exercise videos and adapt our programme. Prescribing exercise over the telephone is definitely difficult; but as exercise is so important for our patient’s rehabilitation post cardiac event/surgery, we had to find a way of doing it as safely as possible in a way patients could understand and enjoy.

We have learnt a lot through this process, not least that face to face contact with our patients is key and without it they struggle. As a positive, we now have a bespoke home exercise programme available for those patients who can’t, or don’t want to come to group sessions.

We also know that we have a great team who have all been flexible, adaptable, resilient and completely supportive to each other throughout a challenging year.

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Submitted by Joe

I have worked throughout the pandemic in medical education as a faculty administrator.

At the start of the pandemic in 2020, a project called Shared Hearts was set up by our Critical Care team to support loved ones of patients who had sadly died of Covid. The idea was inspired by a similar endeavor at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

The hand sewn hearts were donated by members of the community so that when a patient died from Covid, often in isolation from their loved ones. One knitted heart would stay with the deceased, while the other was given to the family along with a letter from their nurse. This small act of love and kindness was well received with staff and families alike. The tremendous outpouring of donations meant, however, that we had many hearts left over.

I was approached by Onward Arts to create a piece of work incorporating the many hundreds of fabric hearts we had in reserve. I created this tapestry by hand stitching over 125,000 individual pieces of yarn over a four-month period. The technique – latch hooking – although time consuming has been very cathartic and meditative and has even helped with my own anxiety.

The subject is a human eye and part of a face mask modelled on one of his clinical colleagues. It was my obsession to finish the piece and I see it as a memorial and tribute to all of the dedicated work of our NHS staff and for all the lives lost and people impacted by this terrible disease.