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Original poster

Being redeployed to a hospital WWYD?

26 replies

Teentitansonloop · 02/02/2021 23:57

Please be kind, I work in admin for a back office part of the NHS in research and comms, and I've been working from home but we've been asked if we can volunteer to work in hospitals doing ward admin to support staff sickness.

I feel really guilty about not putting myself forward and am wondering if anyone thinks I'm being selfish for not volunteering? Would you judge someone for this? Obviously if it becomes mandatory I'll have to go.

Context for me is that I'm a single parent who suffers from anxiety and depression. I'm not sure if I'm strong enough to handle working in a hospital AT ALL, never mind during a pandemic
I've never worked in one before, and I'm worried I wouldn't be any good or able to cope. Last year I was hospitalised for lung problem and I have concerns about that (not CEV though). Also I'd have to take public transport. Obviously I'm frightened of covid also, although I would be entitled to the vaccine.

I'm pathetic aren't I? Especially when people are risking their lives every day? Would most people step up if asked? I feel so torn because current hospital staff haven't asked for this situation either and I'm being a coward.

OP posts:
Original poster
Teentitansonloop · 03/02/2021 00:02

Just seen it's to work on wards specifically

OP posts:
Mixitupalot · 03/02/2021 00:04

Nope wouldn’t judge at all! I wouldn’t/couldn’t do it

Original poster
Teentitansonloop · 03/02/2021 00:07

Thanks Mixit, I feel like this is my "what did you do during the pandemic moment".

I thought I was better than this tbh.

OP posts:
NotCornflakes · 03/02/2021 00:13

I definitely would not judge. I wouldn't want to do it either. Hope you won't have to.

AmelieTaylor · 03/02/2021 00:16

I wouldn't judge you.

Well I would, I'd judge you to be doing the right thing! You're anxious & stressed just thinking about it! You're a single parent & you have to think about who would look after your DC if you got ill

I understand your feelings of 'your moment' & 'bring better than this'

I'm feeling pathetic too, but consoling myself with doing my best to to stay out of hospital!

Idefinatelyhavefriends · 03/02/2021 00:19

Nah. I work for the NHS too and the point is that they are asking for volunteers. So that's people who are happy to do it which you aren't. Often parents aren't comfortable volunteering for more risky roles or ones that involve a longer commute so lead to childcare issues or less family time. It's absolutely fine! If they don't get enough volunteers they may need to ask people to do it. I'm sure there will be plenty of staff who will step up - maybe those who have already had it or want the jab sooner.

Original poster
Teentitansonloop · 03/02/2021 00:23

Thanks for your comments, I'll sleep better tonight. If I was younger I'd do it, just feel I wouldn't cope. Hopefully there will be enough volunteers.

OP posts:
Turnedouttoes · 03/02/2021 00:29

I couldn’t either. I’m super squeamish and severely emetophobic. I’ve passed out just visiting people in hospital before. I’d be utterly useless working in one

hushlittlebabydontsayaword · 03/02/2021 00:44

YANBU. I have a 6 month old and I wouldn't volunteer. If I didn't have her I might. There will be people who feel able to help, hence asking for volunteers, don't feel bad.

KizzyKat91 · 03/02/2021 00:45

I’m volunteering in a vaccination centre. I’ve really enjoyed it! It’s been fantastic to get out of the house and meet new people - it’s done wonders for my mental health. Everyone has been so lovely and helpful. I also got offered the vaccine, which I was thrilled about.

However, I’m not sure I’d be up for working on wards with sick people and, like you, I would probably be very anxious about it. I don’t have kids to consider either.

So I don’t judge you at all. Maybe an admin position at a vaccination centre will come up and you can volunteer for that if you want to help out :)

namethatrandomlychanges · 03/02/2021 00:48

If it remains voluntary with no judgment then do whatever you feel most comfortable with. A friend works in retail and has been asked to 'voluntary' redeploy to another part of the business in a frontline role. has serious concerns for safety, similar public transport issues, but has had it repeatedly mentioned and is feeling under serious pressure to agree. Also feels that it will have an impact in the future.

Babyroobs · 03/02/2021 00:50

I would not feel guilty. You have had lung problems, you are a single parent so it's vital you don't put yourself at risk. I would have liked to have gone back and helped on the wards (ex - nurse) but my dh is CEV and it just wasn't worth the risk.

namechange63524 · 03/02/2021 03:18

It's voluntary. I also would not judge you

MrMeSeeks · 03/02/2021 03:21

Nope would not judge you at all Flowers
Is there a way you could ask if you could try the role to see whether you would cope if not go back to your regular role?
You never know, you may enjoy it

StrugglingICUnurse · 03/02/2021 03:36

@Teentitansonloop please don't feel guilty. It doesn't sound like the right fit for you.
Previous lung problems + public transport = not if you don't have to!

Sunnydays999 · 03/02/2021 03:49

Absolutely wouldn’t judge . I work for the nhs In admin, and I wouldn’t volunteer. If it became mandatory I would go on long term sick

Covidcorvid · 03/02/2021 07:18

I’ve been asked to volunteer to go and work on icu (I’m not a nurse) to help with stuff like proning patients. Currently I haven’t stepped forward and I feel bad for not doing so. I have a dh in his 60s and a medically vulnerable Dd. I’m terrified of bringing it back to them. I’ve had my first vaccine, maybe after I’ve had the second one I will go and help....they probably won’t need me by then. I do wonder if I’m making excuses.

Pinkmarsh · 03/02/2021 09:04

I wouldn’t judge. You can never know what you’d do in a situation until you’re Actually in it!

DayBath · 03/02/2021 09:13

It's a request not and order and 'no' is a complete answer. Just remember if anyone presses you on your reasons you don't have to give them. And if you're want to give them an idea then keep it brief, "I have medical concerns" and leave it at that. In your position I wouldn't want to risk it either, your previous lung issue could have left scars or indicate you are particularly susceptible to lung problems etc. You don't have to explain that to anyone or be extremely clinically vulnerable to have reservations about your wellbeing. It's perfectly legitimate to refuse and I doubt anybody would judge other than to assume you have some medical issues they don't know about.

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 03/02/2021 09:14

No judging here. If the guilt really starts to get to you, can you explore whether it's possible to have the vaccine before volunteering (if that would make the difference to you being happy to volunteer).

PQWQ · 03/02/2021 09:36

I'm a social care worker and we have been asked to volunteer to be redeployed into hospitals to work on Covid wards helping with contact between patients and their families via zoom etc.

I've had to decline due to being CEV (have had first jab) but secretly I'd be bloody terrified.

wonkylegs · 03/02/2021 11:38

They are asking for volunteers and that is the key thing. You don't have to have a reason to say no but I think your reasons are valid too.
DH is a seasoned consultant and has found working on Covid wards physically and emotionally draining. It's been a really hard time and lots of his frontline colleagues as well as himself have struggled to cope with the mental toll. He has said that he wouldn't be coping as well if he didn't have a strong support network at home to pick up the slack, so I suspect being a single parent would be really hard.

PrivateHall · 03/02/2021 12:13

As others have said it is 'voluntary' so no reason to feel guilty if you don't want to! I am a midwife and have been working extra shifts in the vaccination centre and doing HCA type work on the wards when they are really desperate but very few of my colleagues have volunteered to do the same. No one cares, it is all voluntary. Everyone is doing their bit simply by doing their own jobs and I am sure your job is needed and you are doing your bit by 'staying at home'.

There will be no rewards or prizes when it finishes, no one will remember who did what (I promise) as the NHS really don't care about the staff, lets be realistic here! We are all just a number!

I just enjoy helping - hence why I am in a caring role. And I love being really busy and the variety. But others don't and that is absolutely fine! Plus my main job is part time so I am able to spare a few hours to fit in these extra shifts.

What would happen to your admin work if you downed tools and went into the hospital? I am sure it still needs doing! Seriously, please don't feel bad Flowers

missingeu · 03/02/2021 12:16

I'm a nurse, working in covid wards, caught covid from patients, have children etc. We've recently had to work and continue to work as ICU nurses due to the shortage.

Our wards are soo short, we have minimal admin support etc. The whole hospital is short due to increase in admissions, increase in very ill covid patients, increase in staff with covid. Every shift we have to send staff to ICU to work with critically ill patients - we have no choice.

I am exhausted - emotionally and physically. But I have no choice.

The positive in all this are we have volunteers from RAF, Red cross, redeloyed NHS staff and there are godsend, appreicated and very valued.

I don't judge you.

ScrapThatThen · 03/02/2021 12:41

I wouldn't judge you and in fact I didn't put myself forward when our trust was looking so definitely no judgement here. However, don't exclude the fact that you might find it enjoyable and rewarding working on the ward and supporting the covid response. That's the thing about anxiety, it lies to you and overestimates the threat of a situation and underestimates your ability to cope. (Of course this IS a significant threat in a pandemic, so slightly ruins my point but nevertheless) If I were you I wouldn't necessarily go for it now, but think positively about it so that you are ready and in control if asked to.