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TSRMedics™ What's it like to work in a GP / hospital during a pandemic?



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What's it like to work in a hospital during a pandemic?

The phrase may you live in interesting times has been touted countless times, and indeed one cannot deny that it is upon us. Never in many years have I thought that I would be working in a hospital during a pandemic.

Ecolier and other TSR healthcare professionals (feel free to join in) would like to give you a day-by-day update of what it's like to be working during a pandemic.

Ecolier is a neurology registrar doctor, based at a relatively large Northern tertiary hospital. He is not usually involved in acute medical admissions. Will he be re-deployed? Re-trained to look after other unwell patients? Stay tuned - daily (possibly more often) updates with photos (obviously patient confidentiality not-withstanding).

Feel free to pitch in or ask questions to healthcare professionals in this thread, and I / other TSR helpfuls will answer them here. No medical diagnosis questions please - call 111 or follow the official government websites for more information.

All off-topic posts will be removed.

Meanwhile, here are some useful websites about the COVID-19 outbreak.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-people-with-confirmed-or-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection




Post originally created by ecolier.
(edited 4 years ago)

Scroll to see replies

Following avidly :smile:
This intrigued me as soon as I read the title!
On a scale of 1 to 10, how well prepared and equipped would you say the NHS is to deal with the projected number of cases?
Reply 4
Original post by Reality Check
On a scale of 1 to 10, how well prepared and equipped would you say the NHS is to deal with the projected number of cases?


0...


Post originally created by ecolier.
Oh crap...how did I know you were going to say that. :frown:
Reply 6
Have you seen any changes in how your hospital is operating already to allow it to cope better with the pandemic?
Reply 7
Original post by Mosaic4
Have you seen any changes in how your hospital is operating already to allow it to cope better with the pandemic?


Well we get regular emails about what the hospital is doing. One of them is that all PPEs (personal protection equipment) including masks and alcohol gel is being withdrawn from the wards to be held centrally.

Interestingly, so far our clinics are still face to face. I have a clinic tomorrow and have not yet been told it'll change to telephone (or video :rofl: there is no way our hospital can do this technologically btw).


Post originally created by ecolier.
do you think any changes implemented now such as extra precautions w hygiene etc will continue when the pandemic's over?
Reply 9
Original post by entertainmyfaith
do you think any changes implemented now such as extra precautions w hygiene etc will continue when the pandemic's over?


No, but I know I would keep doing it.

My hands are red every day at 5pm from the excessive washing :lol:


Post originally created by ecolier.
Original post by Reality Check
Following avidly :smile:

Original post by 5hyl33n
This intrigued me as soon as I read the title!

Snap :biggrin::woo:
Reply 11
Do you think the UK should follow South Korea's example by ramping up testing for Covid-19? Also more generally, how are you doing? I hope you're doing well. :smile:
Original post by CoffeeAndPolitics
@ecolier Do you think the UK should follow South Korea's example by ramping up testing for Covid-19? Also more generally, how are you doing? I hope you're doing well. :smile:


If anything we're ramping down testing
Original post by CoffeeAndPolitics
@ecolier Do you think the UK should follow South Korea's example by ramping up testing for Covid-19?


Based on current plans, no. But then we all know that plans can change every day.

One of my colleagues had a fever and myalgia last week, and wasn't tested because they are not a current inpatient. They were just told to self isolate so we're already at least one doctor down in our team.

Also more generally, how are you doing? I hope you're doing well. :smile:


So far yes, thanks. Hope you're doing well too.

Original post by ForestCat
If anything we're ramping down testing


Thanks for joining us, you're very welcome. Let us know how this is affecting your work too!


Post originally created by ecolier.
(edited 4 years ago)
What’s your opinion on the removal of the medical students from placements but the nursing students having to stay in placement?
So far it isn't really. But I imagine it will from this week onwards
Original post by Pugglet
What’s your opinion on the removal of the medical students from placements but the nursing students having to stay in placement?


Unfair and I think all students should at least have a choice in whether they wanted to go in or not. Unless the government enforces that all students should not go in due to increased risk of infection, then everyone should not go in.

However there are current government plans to get final year med students working as FY1s, I wouldn't be surprised if this applies to 3rd year nursing students (working as newly qualified nurses) too.

Original post by ForestCat
So far it isn't really. But I imagine it will from this week onwards


I'm on call this coming weekend :eek:


Post originally created by ecolier.
(edited 4 years ago)
It’s been suggested yes
I know Cambridge final years are now working as FY1s without sitting their final exams.

I’m a first year student nurse (so pretty much useless) and we’ve been told we have to stay on placement
Original post by Pugglet
... I’m a first year student nurse (so pretty much useless) and we’ve been told we have to stay on placement


How exciting! What specialty are you based with at the moment?


Post originally created by ecolier.
Original post by Pugglet
It’s been suggested yes
I know Cambridge final years are now working as FY1s without sitting their final exams.

I’m a first year student nurse (so pretty much useless) and we’ve been told we have to stay on placement

That's really not fair .
Why are medic students being removed off placement and student nurses are not .
seems very hierachal.

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