Dr Sue Tutty, 62, Botany
GP in Covid-19 testing clinic
Before Dr Sue Tutty’s first shift at the Takanini Covid19 testing clinic, she had a conversation with her family over dinner about her wishes if she died.
The 62-year-old GP said it was something she was at peace with, but not all her family felt the same.
“I know my family were very worried about me working in the Covid centre,” Tutty says.
“We had a conversation before this self-isolation was announced and we talked quite a bit that night.
“My younger son got a bit distressed, we were talking about what happened if I died and what were my wishes and some of that advanced care planning stuff.
“I was saying they needed to look after the younger brother till he finished his university.
“You know some of those conversations that families need to have, I guess, because we never know when our lives are going to end, do we? So we did have those conversations as family, because I’m not over 70 but I’m not a young GP.”
The South Auckland GP works three days a week at the Takanini Covid-19 testing clinic which began operation on March 21.
“We wear full PPE when we see patients at the Covid centre. We’re seeing anyone who’s unwell.
“Patients are very anxious when they come through there. So some of it is just dealing with their anxiety. We are seeing people with chest tightness and chest pain and shortness of breath.”
That anxiety also flows over to the staff.
“I was there when we had our first positive result, which was the second day we were there, and it was all ‘who took that swab?’ sort of thing a little bit.”
But the decision to be on the most exposed Covid-19 frontline was not difficult.
“Absolutely. I wouldn’t want to not be working. We’re doctors, that’s what we do.”