Teamwork

The COVID-19 restrictions have made it quite a difficult time here at St Rognvald House, both for residents and staff, with residents missing their favorite activities, group gatherings and not being able to see the key people in their lives.

I feel the staff teams have certainly gone the extra mile in these uncertain times, ensuring that they are keeping themselves and residents as safe as possible.

This is where Teamwork has really proved to be beneficial. At the beginning of the COVID restrictions proved a very stressful time, all the media reports were so harrowing.

Quite early on, St Rognvald House had a case of a resident presenting with a high temperature, so the Health Protection Team was alerted, we are so lucky here in Orkney that we received a very quick response regarding testing and results. The support the staff received from NHS Orkney was excellent with the Infection Control staff showing commitment, sharing guidance and offering support both to the care and domestic teams. This helped the staff have more confidence in their work and to be diligent in assessment of potential COVID signs.

I will admit we all struggled in the beginning with all the new reporting, daily updates and guidance, grappling with the technicalities of TEAMS, Zoom and Face Time, new legislation and extra training.

Everyone has stepped up to the mark and performed brilliantly. Yes, we were all scared; yes, we were all worried, but we are in this together and that’s what keeps us going.

We have had no positive cases of COVID and hope to keep it that way, we are honored to be so trusted by the relatives of the people we care for and looking forward to getting back to some normality soon.

The person -centered tradition has always talked about the importance of caring about ourselves and each other as well as those we seek to serve but this has been far more evident to me in these past months than ever before.

It has been so uplifting to see the local community come together and the support we have received from local organizations with so many items gifted to staff and residents, also must mention our exceptional Community Nurse Team who all work so extremely hard on behalf of us all here at St Rognvsld House.

In my 28 years of care I have never experienced anything like this, a new sense of camaraderie amongst staff teams ,a special mention must be given  for my Senior Team,  all the help and support I have received from them with again, fantastic Team work, it has been a pleasure to helm such and amazing teams of carers and ancillary staff and I am sure we will come through this stronger than ever.

Shirley Miller

Registered Manager