Page 31 - QARANC Vol 18 No 2 2020

The Gazette QARANC Association 29
In order to prepare us as best possible, the training team at JHG(S) went above and beyond to develop and provide upskilling training. Many of the preceptors were trained in skills earlier than anticipated. Courses such as prone positioning, monitoring of ventilated patients, and oxygen training were put together and rolled out across the unit. This ensured that had we been redeployed to a Nightingale type hospital, an intensive care unit, or an operational environment we would have been able to safely provide additional care and be an asset to those teams.
Unfortunately, as for most of the population globally, many routine things were suspended or cancelled as a result of COVID-19 which has had a huge impact on our daily life as military personnel. At JHG(S) there are military training days weekly, regular preceptorship days, unit physical training, adventurous training and other celebratory annual events which were all cancelled with immediate effect. Obviously, these were justifiably cancelled given the circumstances, but a lot of our cohesive solidarity comes from such regular interaction within the unit. Thankfully at the time of writing this, things are starting back up again albeit on a much smaller scale due to
social distancing guidelines. Online platforms have been pivotal in restarting preceptorship training in particular, with excellent efforts from the Practice Education team to facilitate engaging content and keep all of the preceptors on track for our deadlines in this new environment.
Outside of work our social areas within our accommodation blocks were closed, and dining facilities were spread out to an extent that interaction at mealtimes ceased. Within any military establishment, this social interaction is key for maintaining morale. For us healthcare personnel, these exchanges are often longed for as a way to debrief and destress following a tough shift. Keeping spirits up has unsurprisingly been difficult at times, however virtual quiz evenings and workout challenges have provided some light-hearted relief along the way.
As the peak of the pandemic has declined, many of us have now returned to our regular departments. This has restored some stability and normality back into our daily practice as clinicians, however stringent PPE measures remain to ensure optimal safety for ourselves and our patients. No doubt this will be our new normal for the foreseeable future. The monumental impact and devastating
2Lt Jones fulfilling clinical duties
losses that COVID-19 has had globally will remain with all of us, but the resilience and adaptability of our Corps at JHG(S) has shone through during this period and is greater than ever.
2 Lieutenant Rhian Jones Nursing Officer JHG(S)
Covid-19 ‘Lockdown learning’
Prior to the lockdown, I had been lecturing on the NRS412 Assessment Module to a large number of ‘new to me’ students. This was daunting as it necessitated using the microphone to reach the whole group. I performed a perfect mic drop deploying my coffee across the stage. This delivery of extra caffeine was not quite the wake up routine I had planned. Delivering face to face allowed me to see who was paying attention and I could see quickly when attendance was close to the required numbers allowing me to start. The students were able to drop by the lectern to ask questions, and it was possible to identify which students were comfortable to interact in the large group size.
Midway through this module the university took action on group
gatherings and announced that all teaching would be run remotely to enable the students to return home, where it was possible that they may need to stay for a period. The rollout to a complete home working status and delivering modules via multi- media was rapid. Opportunities to access software and teaching platforms were rolled out with staff being encouraged to take hardware to their homes. Regular and continuous updates were made via email and the university website. The NMC and Health Education England announced that student nurse placements were suspended in their current format and negotiation commenced to utilise the second and third year students in ‘paid placements’ to support the NHS during the management of Covid-19.
Sara Hawkins ‘Zooming’ with her students from Plymouth University during lockdown