More friendly faces from the Ayrshire frontline tell us what their roles now involve
work with have been fantastic. Everyone developed a ‘ can do attitude’. No matter what was asked of my colleagues the answer was invariably: ‘ Yes. Let’s work out how we can do that’ or some similar phrase.
“With this approach we have created new intensive care facilities, completely changed our operating theatre practice and reconfigured ward areas.
“Our working patterns are unrecognisable from preCOVID times.
“We have a whole group of doctors and nurses that have been redeployed from other areas and integrated into our critical care team.
“While COVID has and will continue to wreak havoc and destroy lives and families, it has at the same time brought the teams I work with together.
“I think it has brought our politicians together, it has brought our country together.
“I hope we keep some of this togetherness long after we have mastered COVID.”
Clare Brennan, Senior change nurse in the Intensive Care Unit ( ICU) of Crosshouse Hospital
“COVID- 19 has united us in a way we could never have imagined. ICU has always been an area renowned for great teamwork.
“Our team is made up mostly of control freaks and those afflicted with slight obsessive compulsive tendencies.
“Our speciality is not for the faint- hearted and we are a close knit bunch. Finding ourselves inviting large numbers of staff to come join us, is surreal, to say the least.
“Some are well- kent faces, critical care ‘ veterans’. It almost feels like some kind of weird school reunion, minus the cheesy dancing and cheap wine. Most though are critical care ‘ newbies’ - wary, wideeyed, excited and nervous, unsure of this new environment they find themselves in.
“Despite the unfamiliarity, they all want to help make a difference.
“Our newest colleagues have entered into a strange world of tubes, ventilators, central lines and the dreaded PPE: our best friend and worst enemy rolled into one; keeping us safe, but hot and bothered all at once.
“They have left behind the security of their own workplace to come help us in what feels like our hour of need.
“All of us are, in truth, out of our comfort zones. This virus has turned our world upside down. But we are dealing with these strange set of circumstances with our usual mix of stoicism, dark humour – and chocolate!
“Amidst all this, we are finding out just how adaptable, resourceful and resilient we are.
“This situation has shown the solidarity and strength that exists between our staff groups.
“We didn’t know it was there before because we haven’t had to look for it.
“We know now and it makes me very proud to be part of it.” Kirsty McKinlay, Nurse and elderly mental health activity co- ordinator at Ailsa Hospital, from Ayr
“My role is activity coordinator, supporting ward staff in facilitating meaningful activities for our patients and carrying out clinical duties when required to support my colleagues during this challenging time.
“Our patients are aware of the COVID- 19 crisis. Following the advice given, they are selfisolating and their family members are self- isolating.
“Our patients are vulnerable; they are missing their loved ones and are feeling anxious. We provide structure and distraction for our patients, as well as ensuring they are provided with the best standards of care.
“I live in Ayr, travel to and from work easily, and other than an essential weekly trip to a local supermarket for provisions for my family, I do not leave my home.
“It’s important that we all follow the guidelines and stay at home. If we do, the sooner we can get back to normal.” Kerry Allison, Improvement Advisor
“Before the COVID- 19 pandemic, I was working on improving children and young people’s mental health as part of the Wellness Model.
“I worked alongside health and social care, education, third sector and children and families. I am now working in the Community Hub in Kilwinning and there is a lot to do.
“Leading the hub on certain days, answering phones, making up food parcels, contacting health and social care colleagues, ordering prescriptions, arranging for volunteers to collect and deliver prescriptions, redirecting school meal calls, taking calls from ‘ shielded’ people, gas and electricity queries, council tax queries, money matter issues, period poverty and even cat and dog food – as processes change on a daily basis.
“Everyone working within the hub is lovely and we pull together to try to find a solution to anything that comes in our direction – which has been very varied over the last few weeks.
“We all come from very different backgrounds, skills and experience – but that somehow enhances us and helps us gel together.”