Ward writing ...

The ward was in a state of bedlam when we arrived, it calmed eventually meaning there was a certain amount of thumb twiddling (boredom) going on come three a.m. It is rare that I have been able to say something like that during the past twelve months.

Even so I look toward the next night ahead, the reduced numbers and poor skill mix (mainly junior staff) and can’t help but be anxious. Staffing numbers are currently poor (we are very rarely flush), totally legitimate sickness and absence that occurs in every organisation regardless of size. Irrespective of reason it frequently leaves us high & dry, struggling to adequately provide the level of care we desire and maintain safety that is essential.

As we enter Spring things should start to calm down, but the weather remains poor (Staffordshire currently under a thick blanket of snow, high winds across the Midlands, flooding in Devon & Cornwall and severe weather warning in place all over the United Kingdom) and there appears no sign of let up.

The seasonal change in hospital activity long ago became something of the past.

Anyway I digress; the simple truth is that we don’t have adequate staff on the ward to provide safe and effective care.

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.