Admin positions at NHS Nightingale - would love to do this but am also scared

[Helpmechangemymindsetplease]

They are recruiting for all kinds of positions at NHS Nightingale at the Excel Centre.

I would love to apply for an admin position but am also really scared of catching the virus.

What kind of increased risk do you think admin staff are in (would get my own mask if none is provided)?

Really really want to help.

(And of course I know that frontline staff are the most at risk 100 times over ).

I don't think we can answer this for you. It's doing something important for your country in a crisis, just like all the shopworkers, teachers and NHS. You might contract the virus. Hopefully mild, a few weeks off and back to help. But you might contract it anyway, even not doing the job. Thank you for considering it.

It depends on your situation OP

I am being sent out in a few short weeks to wherever they need me

Do what you can, if you want to. The greater good and all that

It depends on the level of risk in you and your immediate family. If healthy and no one in your household has high risk conditions of any kind then it’s admirable

Am 51 and in good health - and single parent to three teens. They see their Dad who is 63 and has had pneumonia. In a nutshell .

(And have a very anxious sister who would be distressed if I did this - that’s also a consideration.)

What sort of admin? Some posts will have more patient contact or be closer to patients than others.

I work at a hospital fairly close to the NEC (relatively) and we don’t yet know whether any of us will be asked to move there when the time comes. I’m considering it if I get the chance TBH.

You would be one of my heroes at least..

I really wish I could do this, I think it's fantastic if you can but it's very understandable that you would be worried about your personal risk, anyone would be.

Even if you bought your own mask. They probably wouldn't allow you to wear it. My hospital had banned staff wearing masks unless required by the task they are doing. Staff walking around the hospital/ in clinics wearing them
Has been stopped.

If I lived nearer London (and had somewhere to stay other than home whilst working there) I would apply in a heartbeat.

As it is I'm an administrator in a non clinical NHS role, and will be moved to wherever I am needed in the next couple of weeks. I'm totally in awe of my clinical colleagues who are putting themselves on the front line and am finding myself severely lacking.

I’m in healthcare admin but also sit on the management team so quite involved clinically. Was discussing with DH today that although I’m stressed with the whole thing I’d rather be involved than not. It’s a chance for you to be part of a solution rather than the problem. But I completely understand why not everyone thinks like this.

Hi

Do you know where I can find these vacancies as I’d be interested in helping with an admin role of some type. Sorry I did look on the internet but couldn’t find anything.

Thank you!!!

@confusedagainx2 have you tried NHS jobs?

You will absolutely not be given PPE. You’ll rely on social distancing and good hygiene.

Personally, with a vulnerable person in the mix, I would think twice. However, if you do this you will be one of the heroes.

If your children are going to be flitting between you and their 63-year-old dad who has had pneumonia then I think you should really think long and hard about whether taking the job is the right thing to do. I guess part of that consideration depends on whether your children/their dad are highly likely to pick up the virus in any event (eg because they have lives which bring them face to face with lots of other people) or whether they are all staying at home and would therefore have a decent chance of avoiding the virus if you don't take the job.

I’ve been looking for nhs jobs but there doesn’t seem to be any in my area. Does anyone know if they are advertising temporary jobs and if so, where they advertised?

I think people are being approached directly. NHS trusts local to the Excel have been approached in the first instance asking for expressions of interests from their staff-I received an email about it late last week

It's a big undertaking and you'll be separated from your family for a significant period of time

I applied to do this in a nearby hospital trust - excel is too far. Go for it.

I believe that the Nightingale Hospital is run by Barts Health NHS Trust. I just had a quick look on NHS jobs and there is a specific COVID-19 section accessible on the home page, with alot of vacancies for Barts. Hope this helps.

I heard about it on Facebook via someone who works for Randstad I think.

If your children are going to be flitting between you and their 63-year-old dad who has had pneumonia then I think you should really think long and hard about whether taking the job is the right thing to do.

and

Personally, with a vulnerable person in the mix, I would think twice.

You’re both right - he comes to see them in my house when I am at work so he does see them a lot generally.

It’s not only that - I think I am too scared. Looking at the very sad pictures of all the open cubicles, I would (perhaps ignorantly) be scared of the sheer amount of virus in the air generally, unless the admin staff work away from the main area?

Why wouldn’t admin staff be given at least masks - genuine question?

I think I am going to have to contribute by volunteering instead. Perhaps get an admin job in another hospital, though I guess all hospital jobs come with some risks at the moment.

I'm totally in awe of my clinical colleagues who are putting themselves on the front line and am finding myself severely lacking.

I feel the same.

(About doctors and nurses in general).

Why wouldn’t admin staff be given at least masks - genuine question?

FFP3 masks are reserved for staff exposed to aerosol generating procedures, and are in short supply. Surgical masks provide very little protection other than from droplet splashes. No non-frontline staff are provided with masks because they are not considered necessary.

I know it feels wrong, but wearing a mask can increase the risks because you will frequently touch it to adjust it for comfort, and the last thing you should be doing is touching your face.