Working through COVID: A reflection on a shift

At the start of the COVID pandemic member of the RCN Midwifery Forum Committee, and Maternity and Midwifery steering group, Judy Evans, practising bank midwife and nurse signed up with NHS England to offer service. No immediate work was offered (thousands had no doubt signed up plus returnees to the temporary register). Although currently living in the North, she decided to continue to work in Essex meaning It would involve staying away from family in hospital accommodation and adjusting to different practices. This is her story:

Working through COVID: A reflection on a shift

Another day has flown by. Where did the time go? In for a long day shift starting at 07.45 and completing at 20.15. I like to get in the unit at 7am and plan my day ahead and see what is happening.  The pace is always relentless day or night shifts.

The shifts are long. Time for a break – nope! Not always, as too much to fit in and anyway, I can always grab a drink on the run. Not ideal but ‘needs must’ as we say. Working on the postnatal ward, as midwives and support workers, we have to aim to prioritise care. As well as admitting women booked for elective caesarean sections, there are the  first day caesarean section ladies who need a great deal of help. It’s good to know they are comfortable, recovering, eating, drinking and any pain is managed appropriately and the babies fed and cared for. There are also women needing feeding support and women anxious to be discharged for home. Everyone is a priority and so skilful delegation of resources are required.

In these challenging Covid times we have to remember to be empathetic and alert, responding to the families in a professional and humane way. They must feel terrified at the prospect of entering hospital and, in some ways, feeling out of control. I hope I am there for them and offer some sense of normality (although not sure about this as I look like Darth Vader from ‘Star Wars’ in the PPE kit!). I have found that all women have been shielding with their families and strictly adhering to government policy. In the clinical environment it is really difficult to social distance. Assisting with breast feeding is an impossibility. Wearing face masks all day is oppressive. The parents are also wearing their masks and uncomplaining, so we just have to get on with it.

I recall my time as a newly-qualified midwife (a long time ago) and am now amazed at the amount of record keeping undertaken. Nowadays so much time is taken with logging work onto the computer; ensuring that all information is entered correctly on the database.  No records or notes are taken home by mothers, just a Covid letter with contact numbers and the Child Healthcare record book. No errors can be made.

A great strength in these difficult times is the support and camaraderie of all levels of staff. Starting with the Security men and women at the hospital, ensuring we are all safe, to the domestic staff ensuring hygiene standards are ‘second to none’ and not forgetting the cups of squash given to us to make sure we are hydrated. From one another – we are all in this together. The team work is excellent.

Before you know it, it’s time to handover to the fresh faces for the night. Now back to hospital accommodation for food, shower and sleep. Tomorrow is another day and it starts all over with new mothers in those beds. Sounds like a conveyor belt but one that is filled with satisfaction, knowing in some small way that we all make a difference. I wonder where I will be working next. Possibly my RN job?

Judy Evans

August 2020

If anyone else would like to share their story of working through the pandemic or beyond we would love to hear from you.