I’ve been thinking a lot about our staff and the impact that covid-19 has had on them, so I’m meeting with small groups (socially distanced or virtually) so that I can hear directly about what we can do to help. (A thread) @NewcastleHosps

This morning I met with members of the maternity team - midwives, support workers and an obstetrician, to hear their honest experiences.
Maternity is an area that couldn’t stop because of covid, but many changes had to be made quickly.

Some of them were difficult for both staff and families, especially limiting the number of visitors to new mums. It’s been quieter in our units with less people around and the team have seen some positive impacts in this calmer environments.

This included mums getting more rest and babies feeding better. Pre term births also seem to have reduced and we’re looking at ways to understand this through research. It’s clear that our pregnant population have taken isolation very seriously.

Staff have been pleased to have the sense of normality that being at work has brought them, and have felt very much part of a team. They appreciated the kindness + recognition shown to them by the public (and the lunches and other treats made a difference too)

They have embraced digital technology and telemedicine in a way that wasn’t possible before, and have been able to find creative ways to provide compassionate care. It’s so important that we continue to enable creativity and autonomy as we build back our services.

I’m grateful for the feedback about the anxiety re PPE + the changing guidance, particularly at the start of the pandemic. We need to be able to explain the changing situation more clearly to staff. I’m pleased that the daily staff update messages have been useful and reassuring

I heard about some exceptional sacrifices that staff have made – including living away from their children and families for many weeks so that they can still come to work. People have risen to the top of their game with the new challenges,

And we need to capture the little pockets of brilliance that have emerged throughout this time. I’m grateful and humbled by everything that this team has achieved. Thank you for everything you have given to your colleagues and to our patients