Struggles and challenges

Earlier this week we celebrated the first anniversary since moving to the new hospital site, time has certainly passed quickly. I recall boxing up ward 12b anxious about what was to come; moving to a new site, joining a new team and the change in role that had been thrust upon me (it may very well detailed previously here). 

I would love to say it’s all worked out for the best but I don’t think that is actually truthful, there have been successes no doubt and whilst failures also wouldn’t be accurate there have certainly been struggles & challenges.

I think all staff were initially overwhelmed by the sheer size of the ward areas, fearful of how big it all seemed in comparison to previous locations and the amount of steps paced each shift. Now it seems like home and the many miles covered each day just routine and the physical fatigue experienced during those initial months has passed.

I must admit I didn’t ever think that would happen.

Decorations, banners and partly inflated balloons  still litter the ward, remnants of cake and celebratory food remain tempting those trying to be good and those with very poor willpower (especially nocturnally) I even found a box containing All Bran crispy cakes, which succeeded in tasting as awful as they sound.

Temptation is often at every corner, people are very generous and grateful when their children (grandchildren) are discharged home and the easiest form of thanks for many is a box of chocolates or biscuits. Consequently high calorie treats loom large, in the day I can avoid them, but in the night time it’s much harder.

When you’re on nights, you just want to eat rubbish, bulky carb heavy foods that fill  and provide comfort. Rarely would you ever hanker for a salad or a bowl of soup, more likely a sandwich, pasty and anti-slimming world cuisine.