Donna Read – Senior Charge Nurse, Ward B12, Forth Valley Royal Hospital
I've been nursing for 32 years. I trained in Edinburgh at the Western General Hospital. I have 27 years experience working in respiratory medicine, 15 of which as a respiratory nurse specialist and laterally as Senior Charge Nurse of the respiratory ward at Forth Valley Royal Hospital. I moved to NHS Forth Valley 5 years ago.
The main challenges of the last few weeks have been:
One thing that has emerged through this is a sense of enhanced team working. Everyone has a common goal which is to look after our patients to the best of our ability. As a result, roles have at time been blurred and everyone is helping each other - for example doctors have been involved in providing personal care along with nursing staff, housekeeping staff are looking after everyone and ensuring they are remembering to take a break and get a drink. Nurses have also been cleaning rooms with housekeeping staff. There is a genuine sense of caring and supporting each other. I work with an exceptional team and I am proud to be part of the NHS at this time.
Community spirit – we have had overwhelming support from the community and many donations both for patients and nursing staff. Local scouts have delivered letters for patients with pictures and get well wishes and the wonderful clapping for key workers on Thursday evenings. We also find it rewarding to celebrate the successful discharges from the ward as it’s great to see patients recovering and being able to return home.
A huge thank you to the public for their ongoing support and a plea to continue with social distancing to help the NHS and prevent the spread of this virus.