Hannah Taylor and Ella Smith from the sixth form have been valued members of the Northern Care Alliance Volunteering Team over this summer. Hannah and Ella joined a team of emergency responder volunteers where they played an essential part in providing an extra layer of support to the staff and service users at The Royal Oldham Hospital.
Hannah and Ella’s duties involved requesting that all visitors adhere to the strict infection protection control measures by asking that they sanitise their hands and wear a face mask. After confirming that the patients were permitted to be on the hospital premises, Hannah and Ella then escorted them around the hospital site to their appointments.
Due to the restricted visiting policy, Hannah and Ella also helped to keep patients connected with their loved ones by recording and delivering numerous letters and care packages to the inpatients.
Ella and Hannah also responded to the needs of the wards by transporting requested goods and items such PPE equipment. They also helped to keep any ‘hot spot’ areas clean, by regularly wiping down surfaces, door handles and wheelchairs etc.
Trudy Taylor, Head of Patient Services at the hospital said, ‘we are very grateful for the contribution Hannah & Ella have made to volunteering. The challenges presented from coronavirus have meant most people wanted to stay home, yet Ella and Hannah stepped forward and were willing to support the NHS during their time of need, which is an admirable quality indeed.
