A dedicated team of retired critical care nurses have returned to East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT). They will play a vital role in the fight against coronavirus, by keeping families updated about loved ones who are receiving treatment for the illness.
Family Liaison Services have been set up at both Ipswich and Colchester hospitals by former staff. They all wanted to do something to help during the pandemic. But they were not able to return to the wards due to their health or other reasons.
Instead, they are providing a vital link between families and patients receiving treatment on the Critical Care Unit (CCU). They keep the family informed of progress, relay messages, answer questions and arrange translation services where necessary. Usually ward nurses would do these things. The new team frees up clinical colleagues, so they can focus on delivering the best possible care.
In Ipswich, the service is provided by retired nurses Heather Blaylock, Claire Calder, Cathy Cousins, Pauline Entwistle, Richard Goodrum, Anne Wharnsby and Alison Wright. All are working as volunteers. They are joined by Jess Theobold and Debbie Mathews, two ex-CCU nurses who have other work commitments. Three nurses have been redeployed to the service, Jeanne De Chi-Bryan, Helen Kirby and Donna Matthews.
Claire Calder said: “When we saw the news coming from the hospitals in Italy, we got together to talk about what we could do to help. We thought the liaison service would be beneficial.
“It has been very well received by families. They really appreciate being given an update and the time to voice any concerns or ask questions. If the patient is well enough and it is appropriate to do so, we can even try and arrange for a nurse to hold the phone to their ear at their bedside so that they can hear their loved one’s voice.
“We are really pleased that we have been able to do something to support our friends who we worked alongside on the CCU for the vast majority of our careers.”
The Family Liaison Service runs seven days a week, and uses a password system to ensure patient confidentiality.
Paul Carroll, critical care consultant at Ipswich Hospital, said: “We care for 18 to 20 COVID-19 patients at any one time, most of whom will spend around 20 days on the unit. Keeping their families informed of their progress is vitally important. However, it can also be time-consuming. We are incredibly grateful to our former colleagues for returning to the hospital to help.
“The service they are providing has received some absolutely fantastic feedback. It is truly appreciated by our patients and their families, and also by everyone working in critical care.”
Elsje Rossouw, CCU matron at Colchester Hospital, said: “We currently have two nurses who have worked in critical care but cannot fulfil clinical duties at the moment working in our service. It is much appreciated by the families of our patients.
“It has been great that colleagues with critical care experience are filling the roles. They can use their knowledge to explain to the family what is happening in more detail, the progress their loved one is making and our plans for their next steps of treatment. We are grateful to them. We’re pleased we are able to offer this service to help keep families up-to-date at what is a difficult time for them.”
Back to top