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Submitted by Rachel
Physiotherapist

I have attached a quick sketch to represent my experience of being redeployed to ICU. Despite it being somewhat daunting initially, the experience was so positive and I really enjoyed my time with the PRH ICU team. The nursing staff were so welcoming and appreciative of our help. They went out of their way to teach us new skills and never made us feeling silly for not knowing something, or having to ask lots of questions. I’ve lost count of the number of times each shift I was personally thanked for helping out. I would happily be redeployed to ICU again, as I genuinely gained as much from it as they did.

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Mindmap drawing for Critical Care Outreach

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Mindmap drawing for Critical Care Outreach

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Submitted by Kat
Critical Care Outreach Team

I drew this for our team day back in autumn 2020 just as the second wave was starting.

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Word phrasesSubmitted by Learning Support

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Word phrasesSubmitted by Learning Support

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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.

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Three words to describe how staff are feeling…

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Three words to describe how staff are feeling…

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Submitted by Julie, Support Service Manager

This was complied for the Switchboard, Main Reception and Works Helpdesk. It represents a cross-section from all the available staff in my areas, who were asked to provide us with three words describing how they felt working throughout Covid.

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A national project in 2020 to immortalise in pictures many of the NHS professionals working through the Covid-19 pandemic featured dozens of colleagues at the former Western Sussex Hospitals (now part of UHSussex) painted for posterity.

The #PortraitsforNHSheroes campaign became an Instagram hit after artist Tom Croft painted an A&E nurse in full PPE as his way of giving something back to the health service.

As the project grew, the public was encouraged to put people forward for portraiture and the trust’s head of clinical governance and patient safety enthusiastically embraced the opportunity. “This became quite a thing,” said Jo Habben, who began spending her evening nominating her colleagues for pictures. Others also joined in and it grew to include more than 50 members of staff some of whom can be seen in the snapshot here.

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A mural that a local resident commissioned on her garden wall in Abbey Road on the way to Sussex House and opposite the side of the Outpatients building.

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Submitted by Anna
Cardiothoracic Surgical Care Practitioner

I was redeployed during the 1st wave of Covid 19. My mental health took a hit and I turned to my pencil case to find solace. These are portraits of colleagues who I have worked with in cardiac theatres.

Please read the descriptions of my thoughts behind each piece.

1. A cardiothoracic surgical care practitioner just like me, Margaret held my hand and led me through our training right through to graduation. She was there with me during redeployment ready to hold my hand again. She is a strong proud determined woman, and a role model whose friendship and support I will be eternally grateful for.

2. Dr Singh, a junior doctor who  found himself in a new hospital unable to do the job he had signed up for. Personally affected by Covid he battled on. Here he is pictured in his surgical loops eager to operate.

3. I drew this picture for Christine who left cardiac theatres to work in the courtyard at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, where many Covid patients have been treated. I drew this to show her how much she achieved whilst she was with us. I know that any patient who meets Christine will be overwhelmed by her kindness and care.

4. This image of Clare represents the staff whose lives have changed dramatically during this past year. Adapting, adjusting, reassessing careers. Moving on and moving forward.

I’ve learnt a lot about myself and my colleagues throughout this process and will continue to draw as a form of relaxation and therapy.

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A prayer for the NHS and all keyworkers by Gemma-Kirstie

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A prayer for the NHS and all keyworkers by Gemma-Kirstie

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A poem

Green, grey, yellow, teal, white and blue,

PPE in ever-changing hue,
Colours mashed together all as one,
Our work to care in never done.
Colleagues there when we need a boulder,
To help share the burden on our shoulder,
Barely recognising each other through the PPE,
Always there in patients time of need.
Staying strong throughout our work,
From porters, nurses, housekeepers and the ward clerk,
Helping one another day by day,
Even through all the uncertain disarray.
Now we have come through the pandemic,
Learned so much from scientists and academics,
Striving through our professions,
We have learned so many lessons.

A Prayer

Lord,
I ask you to take care of all those who are unwell with Covid-19. Be with them and give them strength to fight the virus. I ask you to watch over every one of them and help them recover with the will only you have.

I offer my prayer to everyone who has lost someone to Covid-19 on this one year anniversary. Prayers for those left behind that they may find comfort and light to help them through a difficult time. Lord, give prayers to all NHS and care workers looking after those with Covid-19. Be with the country as we hot a big milestone. Be with those who have beaten Covid-19 and survived this terrible virus. I pray that we come out of this pandemic soon.

Lord, shine your light of hope and peace and a light to help those in dark times struggling with grief.

Lord, give comfort and your holy spirit and shine a light to let them know you are there. I light a candle each week at mass.

Amen