Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Some words from just behind the frontline NHS

8 replies

Newoneforthis28 · 28/03/2020 12:30

I'm in a niche management/operations role in the NHS. Lots of what I do no one else can as before all this we were down to the bone. But now is not the time for political point making. It's where we are.
Right now my job is basically inventing from scratch a big chunk of health service to meet the Covid 19 wave. We're doing in a week what would usually take half a year. It's terrifying.
I'm at home because my job can be done like that (just) and because frankly there's no point me increasing my risk to just be present. DH is taking whole hit to go out for supplies so I can keep myself clear for as long as possible.

In the last two weeks I've worked nearly 200 hours and have been sobbing with exhaustion. Plus the survivor guilt of not being out there on the front.

This is nothing compared to what my colleagues, many who have fears of their own, are doing on the front facing, gowned and masked line to see and treat really, really sick people.

I'm a long time lurker and increasingly despairing of some of the 'what about me' posts here.
Most MNers seem to be smart, savvy, responsible and caring... but for the love of God would the rest of you have a fecking word with yourselves.

The lockdown rules are clear. Everyone's got a special reason why they're hard and they hurt, but stop looking for loop holes.

We have no immunity to this virus. It's whole purpose is to survive by spreading itself around like making a chain. Every droplet coughed or wiped from hand to object to next person's hand to mouth/eyes makes another link in the chain. If the droplets were paint or oil you'd soon step back, stay out of everyone's range and wash your damn hands.

BREAK THE CHAIN. It's not that hard.

Oh yeah and stop doing unnecessary stuff in case you hurt yourself. No jaunty drives in the country cos that's ok you won't bump into anyone. If you crash your car, you're just another hit on services that we don't need right now.

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 28/03/2020 12:43

Thanks for all that you are doing in the NHS. Can I ask a question that you may or may not be able to answer ? I have signed up for the NMC emergency register sow ill return to work as a qualified Nurse if my current employers allow me to take unpaid leave. How are these returning nurses likely to be organised ? Are we likely to be just helping out in other areas rather than Covid 19 wards ? Is it likely there would be some accommodation where I could stay for say a 6 week period to avoid putting my dh at risk ( he is in the vulnerable category ). I want to help out but wondering how feasible it's going to be in reality ??

Dragongirl10 · 28/03/2020 12:45

Well said op.

Wishing you strength and keeping well... most of us think about all you do and appreciate it enough to obey the rules

Wiltinglillies · 28/03/2020 12:46

Well said. Thank you, and thank you for the work you're doing.

UYScuti · 28/03/2020 12:49

Thank you OP❤️
I salute you 💙

lucy101 · 28/03/2020 12:54

Well said. My single argument for people I know flouting the lockdown is, if they get sick, they need to then agree not to go to hospital and give it to an NHS worker/take a ventilator away from someone else through their selfishness. I also despair of all the parents relentlessly emailing teachers and schools...

Newoneforthis28 · 28/03/2020 12:54

Hi roobs. It'll vary between trusts but as a general rule existing staff are being redeployed where their own service has stepped down into roles where they can take transferable skills or train up a bit into more specialist roles. The returners are being skills matched as fast as possible but often filling gaps where existing staff have been moved into CV 19 work.

Accommodation is being worked on. Lots of hotels have just lost their leisure market so keen to partner up with NHS. I've heard lots of lovely stories about local places offering rooms to staff who want to stay away from home to keep at risk family safe or even reduce commutes and avoid public transport.

And thank you for stepping forward. You are a ⭐️

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 28/03/2020 13:08

Thanks - that's what I suspected would be happening. And that makes sense with the accommodation.

Newoneforthis28 · 28/03/2020 13:13

Hi Lucy. I hear you're frustration but I'm trying to be patient and think that a lot of the stupidity is denial in disguise * We just need to keep the messages plain and firm. Really firm.

** excludes completely deliberate selfish assholes Grin

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page