Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
‘If hospital didn’t have porters, the place would stop’
“We also have to move patients when they have passed away, and people sometimes forget about that side of things at the hospital.”
A day in the life of a porter means being on your feet all day.
Linda said: “On a daily basis it can be anything up to 30,000 steps a day and I walk to and from work as well.
“When I was interviewed I said my main concern was getting lost. Apparently everyone has that fear in the beginning but you quickly get used to it.”
Gary added: “We really need to know our way around.
“We often get doctors asking us to help them find their way, especially if they are new.
“You go through a lot of pairs of trainers.”
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Linda, Gary and all their colleagues continued to come into work every day to make sure the hospital ran smoothly.
Linda said: “During the Covid19 pandemic our work didn’t change that much apart from having to wear PPE if you were moving someone who had it.
“But all the hand washing and things like that, we were doing that anyway.
“And you do get used to wearing a face mask – it can be a bit uncomfortable but then you end up forgetting you even have one on.
“I can’t say I have ever felt unsafe during the pandemic.
“One time a Covid-19 patient was being discharged from the ICU and I was standing in the corridor when all the nurses stopped to give the patient a round of applause and I was able to join in.”
Gary added: “We had to get fitted with all the head gear and full PPE when we were moving Covid-19 patients to and from the ICU.
“But when there were the claps for the NHS, it was great – although the guys like us didn’t always get a mention yet we were here throughout the lockdown.”
Tomorrow: The first point of contact – behind the scenes at the Ninewells switchboard.