Continuing the fight against COVID-19 from behind the front line

A team of four registered nurses and two healthcare assistants at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust is providing a critical link between ward clinicians and the workforce department during the pandemic. These staff members, who were required to step back from frontline clinical duties due to underlying health conditions, are now operating a telephone support line.

The team handles calls regarding COVID-19 related staff absences. If further assessment is needed, a registered nurse follows up to arrange swabbing appointments for staff or their families or to signpost individuals to mental health services.

Clinical staff are encouraged to report symptoms immediately, including lethargy, body aches, and loss of taste or smell, as testing must occur within the first four days of symptom onset.

Gary Wright, Deputy Chief People Officer, noted that the initiative allowed the Trust to redeploy staff unable to work in high-risk areas. Participants have described the experience as a way to remain part of the collective effort despite the restrictions placed on their original roles.

Archive source: This story is based on reporting originally published by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust on 2020-05-12. The original source image has been retained and credited.