UHNM and St John Ambulance join forces against Coronavirus
Pictured: Paul Bytheway, UHNM Chief Operating Officer and President of the Pendeford branch of St John Ambulance, with three St John volunteers outside UHNM's busy A&E unit
UHNM has joined forces with St John Ambulance in the fight against COVID-19. Dozens of specially trained volunteers have been helping staff in the emergency departments at Royal Stoke and County Hospital over recent weeks. The volunteers received additional training from St John and UHNM and this has enabled them to carry out roles similar to that of healthcare assistants in both Covid and non-Covid emergency zones of the hospital.
The volunteers have made a real and lasting impression on both staff and patients.
Dr Chris Pickering, consultant and clinical lead for emergency medicine at Royal Stoke, said: “Two weeks ago I noticed a couple of St John volunteers showing enormous empathy and professionalism. One held the hand of a man as he was passing away and sang to him. The other supported the family of another man who passed away. They provided the care and compassion that is needed and their humility was incredible. All the volunteers I have worked with carry themselves incredibly well and have been fantastic ambassadors for the organisation.”
Claire Tooth, matron for emergency medicine, said: “Our St John Ambulance volunteers are absolutely wonderful, they provide support with patient care needs, nutrition, portering, taking observations, scanning notes and preparing patients for transfer. They have been absolutely invaluable at this unprecedented time and they have really integrated into the team with ease and taken to every task that they have been asked to do. Learning on the job in a very fast-paced environment can be difficult, but they have all clearly found it extremely beneficial and always work with a smile on their face.”
Paul Bytheway, UHNM Chief Operating Officer and President of the Pendeford branch of St John Ambulance, said: “I am delighted that our UHNM and St John Ambulance partnership has been such a success. Our volunteers have been able to provide much needed care and compassion to patients at both Royal Stoke and County Hospital in Stafford at a time when our emergency department teams have been under real pressure due to Covid-19. I am hugely proud of the support our St John Ambulance volunteers have given the NHS and I know our ED team are immensely grateful. It is hoped this partnership will continue beyond Covid-19.”
Keele University student and St John volunteer Erin Sohnrey had to cancel plans to celebrate her 21st birthday, so she decided to work at UHNM instead.
She said: “I was happy to work on my 21st because I think ‘why should I take a day off and sit at home by myself when I could be supporting those who need it?’ I think I can help the community and support the hospital. I’ve had great feedback from patients who first say I must be crazy to volunteer in A&E, but then say the volunteers are doing an amazing job alongside the NHS staff. When a patient with a terminal illness came in, I managed to spend time with him and chat over a cup of tea. He thanked me many times, he was so pleased there was someone for him to talk to. I would hope, if I was in such a sad situation, someone would be there for me like that, too.”