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Today I realised that I’m 30yrs in my current job in a public hospital but I couldn’t work in ICU, those nurses are legends who’ve borne the brunt of this pandemic #COVID19ireland
We are at the scariest point of Covid.
This is simply no comparison between now and Lockdowns 1 & 2
This is simply no comparison between now and Lockdowns 1 & 2
Awaiting Lockdown 1 last year, NPET watched Bergamo, New York and London and we prepared based on them
Elective surgery was cancelled, we prepared to nurse ICU patients in our operating theatres
Elective surgery was cancelled, we prepared to nurse ICU patients in our operating theatres
The surge never happened
A combination of avoiding public transport, mask wearing and suburban living meant we did not get the patients we expected
A combination of avoiding public transport, mask wearing and suburban living meant we did not get the patients we expected
Suburban living, most of us live in 3-bed semi-d’s in housing estates, not in high rise apartment blocks/sharing lifts and stairwells
Many residents of nursing homes died but that very sad scenario has changed as we learned how to nurse the vulnerable in ppe
So we opened up the hospitals, restarted elective surgery and OPD appointments/breast check etc. Working around Covid guidelines. It’s bloody hard work but great to be busy
All patients suffer, it’s so hard not to have visitors but absolutely essential to keep Covid out of nursing homes, hospitals, maternity hospitals, all medical facilities
Then the government decided we could do Christmas
Christmas is officially about the birth of baby Jesus not giving Granny a deadly virus
Christmas is officially about the birth of baby Jesus not giving Granny a deadly virus
So 54,000 came home for the Christmas, by ferry or snuck in via Belfast. Didn’t isolate, partied and snuck back to Clapham
This is COMPLETELY different, our patients are younger and healthier, they are not 97yr olds with Alzheimer’s
They will be in ICU beds and ordinary beds longer, they will require more complex medical treatment. They will suffer Long Covid
This is the equivalent London, Bergamo or New York. And it was so utterly avoidable
This is the equivalent London, Bergamo or New York. And it was so utterly avoidable
Come out of the hospital, worn out and terrified of what’s ahead of us. Stopping at nearest chemist for Nurofen (plantar fasciitis is complication of the job) and girl behind the counter with 2 others isn’t wearing a mask
