Page 14 - RADC 2020

COVID
Defence COVID-19 Bedding Down Facility (DCBDF)
Cpl S Gurung
In response to COVID-19, DPHC was directed to establish, operate and
sustain Defence COVID-19 Bedding
Down Facilities (DCBDF). These were to provide appropriate clinical monitoring
of COVID Category 2 (home isolation
with active health monitoring) service patients and facilitate timely hospitalization where required, in accordance with PHE guidance. Pirbright Medical Treatment facility was tasked to provide this medically monitored bedding down facility. As per AH Clin Ops Dental direction to PDO LS, 6 x military Dental Nurses (Tri- Service) were released to assist DCBDF Pirbright for F2F roles. Cpl Gurung, Cpl Pocket, Cpl Hart, LCpl Greenfield, LCpl Jones, and LCpl Cacho reported for duty on 20 Apr 2020.
Induction and Training were conducted
in the first phase considering the 2 metres social distancing rule. The training was led by Lt Col Winship (RSDO Pirbright) and assisted by Maj Porter (DO), Maj Harley (SNO), and SSgt James (HCA). During
the training we learnt the DPHC intent for this task, COVID-19 facts, our roles and responsibilities, PPE and IPC protocols, facility management, how to transfer to secondary care, and the discharge process, along with conducting Active Patient Monitoring Training.
At the beginning of the task we were unsure and worried, however, by the end of the training we were confident and ready to
take the job. The second phase was shift working, 5 person teams were to staff the MRS on a 24/7 rota. The team consisted of a GP/ANP, Nurse, F2F (dental), Driver and C2 Admin. We were allowed to shadow
the duty nurse on the first day which was very beneficial. The day was divided into Early Shift, Late Shift and Night Shift, with welfare being considered while shifts were managed. This tasking was very different from our daily roles, especially with shifts, however, this completely new experience was worth it at the end.
Fortunately, no one was admitted to this facility, and the DCBDF was closed as of 7th June 2020.
LCpl Greenfield
Eligibility for Admission
To be eligible for admission into the DCBDF patients had to be serving personal that
had contacted COVID-19 but did not
require hospital admission; this is known
as category 2. If a category 2 patient was identified within the region and they fitted the criteria, including vulnerable persons, not having living conditions that were conducive to home care or a strong welfare case, then they could be admitted to the facility. Even though any patient admitted would be a Cat 2, every patient would be sub-categorized to 2A, 2B, or 2C with different outcomes towards admittance. Cat 2A would not require admission (unless a strong welfare case) but asked to contact 111 and to self-
isolate at home. Cat 2B would be admitted
if a strong welfare case was justified and if
a phone or video call was not possible. Cat 2C would be admitted to the facility with a strong consideration of admission to hospital before the patient deteriorates. If the patient became a Category 1 (require immediate hospital admission), then they would be immediately transferred to secondary care.
Cpl Hart
New Training Experience
At the start of our training for the DCBDF
I felt quite apprehensive as this was something completely new and quite a worrying tasking to be called forward for. This training was led by Lt Col Winship who immediately put me at ease with her calm manner and huge amount of knowledge
on a subject, that was completely new to everyone. I enjoyed the training as it taught me new skills I wouldn’t normally learn as a Dental Nurse, such as the monitoring and recording of patient observations and using equipment that I’d never used before. My favourite part of the training was the practical aspect of taking observations on our peers, recording them and learning to interpret these using the NEWS2 scoring system. By the end of the 2 days of training and a walk- through talk through of the facility I felt much more comfortable with the task. I felt like I had the knowledge and skills to complete the role to the best of my ability. I would put myself forward for this tasking again.
12 RADC BULLETIN 2020