This week (16 to 20 October) the NHS in the North East and Yorkshire is celebrating the role of healthcare support workers by sharing stories of those who’ve been attracted to the position through a sense of purpose and showcasing the positive impact they make on patients’ lives.
Julie Carr is a community Maternity Support Worker at the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
She began her NHS career over 20 years ago on the RVI’s delivery suite and after a couple of years she switched over to community maternity and never looked back.
“I first became interested when I was pregnant myself,” says Julie. “I thought the whole process was like a miracle – from the development of the baby, the birth and then growing up.”
“I still find it fascinating and love the fact you get to be a part of a new arrival’s journey from start to finish – throughout the whole pregnancy and then for a few weeks after the baby is born.”
Julie works closely with a team of midwives and other maternity support workers who oversee central Newcastle. This covers areas including Benwell, Elswick and Fenham and they feel privileged to care for families from all different backgrounds.
Things have changed so much since I first started, especially over the past 7 or 8 years. We are much more hands on with both mums and babies which I love.
Julie Carr, Maternity Support Worker
When asked what a typical day looks like Julie says no two days are the same. She supports her midwife colleagues in antenatal clinics taking observational measurement such as height, weight and blood pressure readings.
She also takes blood and urine samples to check for certain conditions which are all recorded on an online system BadgerNet which is also used to make future antenatal appointments in the GP surgery and record postnatal visits.
“It’s during these appointments that I really get to know my patients,” says Julie. “We can discuss vaccines and talk about any concerns or questions they might have. Because I get to see them over a period of time we can build a connection and I’m able to reassure and signpost them for further advice or support.
“Having this continuity is really important as we build a relationship of trust and I find some mums-to-be are then more likely to confide any anxieties or problems they may be experiencing at home. We have duty to safeguard our patients and their families offering support to anyone who feel vulnerable.”
Julie says the team is very supportive of each other and they talk to each other all of the time.
She also spends time with new mums in their own home, and when asked what she finds most rewarding about her job Julie says it’s definitely the post natal visits.
“It’s lovely being able to visit after the baby has been born – who doesn’t want to show off their new arrival. It’s a special time and gives us the chance to reassure them and I especially like being able to help new mums to gain confidence with breast feeding.
“The pleasure is always mutual – I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do.”
Julie’s experience and positive outlook led her to being invited to join the trust’s Wisdom Group – a gathering of like-minded healthcare care support workers to share ideas and learn from each other.
“It’s a really good forum,” says Julie. “We get to hear what happens in other areas and share examples of good practice which are always easily transferred to your own place of work. It’s a good place for support too.”
Julie’s involvement with the group led to her being nominated by Associate Director of Nursing, Lisa Guthrie to take part in a Ministerial Round Table led by the Minister for Health and Secondary Care, Will Quince MP.
“It was a real privilege to be invited to be involved,” says Julie. “We were asked a number of questions about our roles, why we had stayed in our jobs for as long as we have, what job progression opportunities there were and how we felt healthcare support workers supported qualified staff.
“At first I felt really nervous but then I soon realised ‘I know what I’m talking about’. I’m looking forward to seeing what comes out of our discussions.”
“I am thrilled that Julie has had an opportunity to have her voice heard both within the Trust and on a national platform”, said Lisa.
“She is an excellent representative for Newcastle Hospitals and for the maternity / healthcare support worker workforce as a whole.
“While we are in the early stages of the HCSW wisdom group it has been interesting and invigorating for those involved as it is an opportunity to give and receive honest feedback and exchange ideas. Julie has been a key member of the group and is a strong role model for colleagues”.
Julie will soon be able to use her years of experience closer to home as she looks forward to becoming a grandmother for the first time herself in the New Year.
Vital to providing excellent patient care
Healthcare Support Workers carry out a range of important roles including healthcare assistant, nursing assistant, theatre support worker, and maternity support worker. They play a vital part in providing excellent care to patients in NHS settings such as hospitals, GP practices, in the community, and people’s homes.
They take patients’ medical observations including temperature, pulse, respiration and weight. They also help patients with social and physical activities, personal care, mobility, at meal times, booking appointments and other tasks.
In the North East and Yorkshire more than 26,000 Healthcare Support Workers deliver NHS services. In the past year, more than 6,000 people have joined NHS organisations in this region in healthcare support roles, 2,700 of whom were new to the health sector.
Margaret Kitching, Regional Chief Nurse, NHS North East and Yorkshire said:
“One of the ambitions of the Healthcare Support Worker programme is to recruit people wishing to start a career in the NHS from outside the health and care sectors. The NHS seeks to attract people at all stages of their working lives who have transferable skills and experiences.
In recent years people have become Healthcare Support Workers from sectors including retail, hospitality, small businesses and airline cabin crew. The role has also attracted people seeking to change career in mid-life or after early retirement.
Margaret Kitching, Regional Chief Nurse, NHS North East and Yorkshire
“Currently, some students are finalising their choices before entering further or higher education, and I would also encourage them to consider this role as a gateway to a career in the NHS.”
The Healthcare Support Worker role can lead to range of NHS career opportunities including nursing associates and midwives.
