‘Babies will always be born, regardless’
MATERNITY STAFF PULL TOGETHER DURING COVID CRISIS
The Post has been granted exclusive access to hospital wards across Nottinghamshire to reveal the true extent of the impact of Covid-19. Here, we talk to staff working on the maternity ward at King’s Mill Hospital. BEN REID reports, with photography from JOSEPH RAYNOR
DESPITE the toughest conditions the NHS has ever faced, life has found a way to continue in Nottinghamshire’s hospital maternity wards during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Staff have rallied to take on extra shifts, still seeing pregnant mums in the journey up to their birth and carrying on with a “business as usual” approach despite the strain on the health service – and sometimes in the face of abuse.
In the maternity unit at King’s Mill Hospital, there have been just as many babies born over the last 10 months as staff would expect.
Initially, all visiting was stopped on maternity wards during the first lockdown – with only one person allowed with each mum during the birth.
Now, visiting times have increased to two hours a day.
Tilly Paul, 28, who has been a midwife for five years, said: “Babies will always be born regardless of what’s going off in the world, which is a nice positive thing when everything seems quite negative at the moment.
“It’s all been about keeping our ladies safe.
“We have had some staffing issues where some have tested positive and others needed to self-isolate but the maternity team have been absolutely amazing.
“People have been picking up extra shifts, often at really short notice, to make sure the service remains covered and we can continue to deliver safe care.
“We are starting to get tired and feel it a bit but it’s a lovely team and everyone looks out for each other and picks people up.”
Tilly added: “Having a baby at the best of times can be very overwhelming and worrying for some people.
“Covid has heightened those feelings and has increased anxiety in general.
“We’re trying our best to support their needs, accommodate them and reassure and be there for them.”
Sadly, many of the staff on the ward have experienced verbal abuse during the pandemic – but only from a minority of people.
Abuse can be sparked by the simplest of things, such as asking people to wear a face mask or explaining visiting rules.
“We understand why people are obviously anxious and they want to spend time with their family and baby.
“But ultimately we have to look after each other and keep safe,” Tilly said.
“Sadly, myself and quite a lot of the team have faced some abuse from the patients and their visitors.
“The majority of people have been very fair and safe.
“They know we are doing this for a reason.”
Dr Sharon Tao, consultant obstetrician at King’s Mill Hospital, said it had been important to adapt to seeing patients when the first lockdown was announced – given the importance of antenatal support for pregnant women.
“A lot of antenatal care (before birth) does need to be face to face so you can do the assessments you need to do.
“A lot of the change was ensuring if there were changes to people’s care pathways that they weren’t lost or missed.
“The biggest challenge has been the change at the beginning to make sure the emergency and on-call side of things was covered.
“That combined with trying to keep sane at home.”
Speaking about abuse of staff, Dr Tao added: “It is something that happens. We have a low tolerance of it and it’s not acceptable behaviour.
“The changes we have made are in response to the bigger picture.
“We’re quite willing to ask people to leave if that is their behaviour.”