Training ramps up in response to COVID-19
RNS staff undertaking the Pandemic Rapid Training Program
Nursing staff from Royal North Shore Hospital have been adding ICU skills to their life-saving repertoire as part of the Pandemic Rapid Training Program. The program has been developed by senior ICU nurses to prepare nurses from all parts of the hospital to work in Intensive Care when the pandemic peaks. So far around 200 nurses from theatres, recovery and various medical and surgery wards have attended the training and spent time shadowing nurses in ICU. ICU Nurse Practitioner Sarah Webb said the incredible uptake from staff would hold the hospital in good stead in the face of COVID-19. “Increasing the ICU nursing workers during COVID-19 by creating pictures and decorative cards. Hospital staff have been buoyed by the art works which have been created by students across the district. Year one students at Dural Public School spent the last day of Term One writing a letter of gratitude to doctors and nurses at Hornsby Ku- ring-gai Hospital. Their art work is on display, joined by students from Northholm Grammar School. At Ryde Hospital, artworks are on display from the children at Goulding Hill Preschool. The children were asked
workforce is critical to our ability to safely care for the large number of critically unwell patients that we are expecting,” she said. “Right now it feels like the calm before the storm, we need to use this time wisely for training and preparation. “One truly heart-warming aspect has been the large number of nurses who have volunteered for the training and their attitudes of comradery and solidarity. “When they come to work in ICU they will be very welcome and very well supported.” The training program consists of a two-to- thee hour tutorial, online resources and supernumerary time in ICU.
However, it isn’t just nurses paving the way to this response, with Sarah saying the whole district had played its part. “We are very grateful for the high level of engagement from our nursing, medical, management and executive colleagues in establishing and running this training program,” she said.
Local school children’s gratitude on display School children are showing their gratitude to healthcare
Artwork at Ryde
Artwork at Hornsby
to paint something they thought would make staff feel happy during this challenging time. Ryde Hospital General Manager Heather Gough said: “We’ve hung the artworks up around the hospital as a reminder to staff of how grateful the community is for the care they are providing today and every day.”
Artwork at RNS
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