Black Country nurse fundraising to pay for essential items at Birmingham hospital
A nurse from Lower Gornal who looks after critical patients has put together baskets full of essential items for NHS workers.
Rapid response sister Natalie Jackson, who works at Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Birmingham, had the idea due to the coronavirus measures.
Staff members, due to strict infection control, have to shower after coming into contact with Covid-19 – along with a host of other precautions.
But they had no toiletries – and instead had to use sachets, normally given to patients, to properly wash themselves.
Natalie, who has also worked at Russells Hall Hospital and at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, said: "I'm a rapid response sister – like a critical care nurse – and I get a bleep if a patient is deteriorating.
"I went on a ward where they were looking after a Covid-positive patient and I spent a few hours with them.
"There's strict infection control measures in place when you go to leave – like a shower and scrubs – and the only thing you could use was NHS sachets for patients.
"I spoke with a friend, Hannah Pollard, and the idea was born – and the response has been phenomenal."
So far a GoFundMe page has raised more than £700, with the money being used to pay for shampoo, hand cream, biscuits and other things to uplift staff.
"In between days off I went to Home Bargains and picked up the items," she said.
"It's a really difficult time working in the NHS. Yes patients are our priority – you will go to work and care for them like they're your own family.
"But it's also about the staff having something in the shower room – having some shampoo, or having some supplies there.
"I put items into the basket that my colleagues would need and what would make them smile."
The nurse has been helped by her friend Hannah, who works for the Help Charity Appeal, her partner Carl Pierce and five-year-old Hugo.
Her father, David Charles, also joined the effort on Easter Sunday to make washbags for staff.
The 31-year-old, who has been working 12 hours shifts to help patients, added: "The response has been amazing and if we could keep going, it would be fantastic.
"I just can't believe how generous people are."
To donate, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/essentials-for-nursing-staff
