It’s the calm before the storm, says A&E nurse

An NHS worker on the frontline of the fight against coronavirus says there is an “impending doom” about what is to come.

A&E nurse Kirsty Wickenden, from Tunbridge Wells, has told of the “eerie” atmosphere at the central London hospital she works in

“It feels a bit like the calm before the storm,” the 35-year-old said. “Everybody knows what’s coming, it’s just waiting for the virus to peak. “This is why we keep saying to people ‘stay at home’.

“Our healthcare system is not equipped to deal with the capacity of patients that could come in over the next month if people continue to socialise. “You can feel a bit of an impending doom coming.

“That is probably the best way to describe it. It’s a bit eerie waiting for stuff to start happening.”

With the number of cases in London - where Kirsty works - reaching more than 2,500, the growth in the capital has been much quicker than in Kent. The latest figures show there have been 91 confirmed cases in the county and two deaths.

Kirsty says one of the best things people can do to support the NHS is to stay at home.

“The importance of this and following government guidelines cannot be stressed enough because it’s there for a reason.

“The government is not saying this to take the fun away, it’s doing it because we have a health crisis on our hands.” Despite the increased pressure on the NHS, Kirsty says staff morale has never been stronger.

“Having an amazing team is what keeps you going, I couldn’t do it without them,” she said. “Everyone is staying so positive despite the situation and that is making a huge difference.

“On the whole people are so understanding. So many businesses have also been coming in to drop off food and drinks to staff and that has really helped too.

“But its not just that, the support shown by the public has been amazing and it is really appreciated.”

Kirsty Wickenden is an A&E nurse from Tunbridge Wells