Voluntary redeployment at a COVID testing centre: ‘ I ’ m proud to be part of the NHS family ’

Almost half the staff in the NHS (around 470,000 people) are in clinical support or infrastructure support roles – these include porters, administrators, medical secretaries, telephonists, cleaners, caretakers and laundry staff. These workers make up the operational services group in UNISON’s health group. In ‘normal times’ these vital workers keep the NHS running, making sure patients and their families get the best treatment possible. But during the COVID-19 crisis, they’re pulling out all the stops, changing shifts, and often undertaking redeployment to assist where they’re most needed. Chair of UNISON’s operational services committee Katie Hodgson (above) says: “People have gone from working five days a week to changing their working patterns to seven days a week including working over the weekend. “Staff have really stepped up, it’s just what’s needed and they’re getting on with it. They’re committed and demonstrating the good will that NHS staff have. “We’ve seen an awful lot of publicity around frontline support, and that’s the great thing about the NHS and its staff, we’re all cogs in the wheel. “There’s a whole raft of people behind the scenes who have really stepped up to the mark, and we’re all part of one team and making this happen to support the patient and the service.” UNISON’s One Team campaign aims to highlight the role of support staff in the NHS. Katie usually works in admin ...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article coronavirus testing Covid-19 health one team Source Type: news