Antenatal and Newborn Screening Team
By the Antenatal and Newborn Screening Team, Specialist Midwives
What was your experience of the pandemic?
As a team we had to make a lot of changes to the services we provide. This included adaptations to screening windows and turnaround times for discussing screen positive results. We switched to a lot of telephone consultations which proved challenging. We had to alter the antenatal and newborn screening training that we provided.
What was the hardest part?
The hardest part of the pandemic was adapting to changes outside of our control. We were guided by not only the trust but also Public Health England an NHS England. The trust had to ‘pull back’ on the number of face to face appointments that we knew would affect our performance indicators. However, we knew this would be best options in terms of keeping staff and patients as safe as possible from exposure to COVID-19. It was really hard for the women as their partners were not allowed to attend so we tried to provide extra support as much as was possible.
How did you cope?
We coped by supporting each other, by communicating and sharing our worries. We always made sure we had time for a cup of tea and a chat. We felt fortunate that we could come to work and interact with each other as we knew some people were feeling isolated. We enjoyed spending the time with our families and not rushing about as much as we would normally do.
What did you learn?
We learnt how to be resilient even more than ever before. We learnt that when facing a crisis we are an excellent team. We learnt more about each other’s services so could represent each other if the need arose.
We became to be more mindful to our colleagues and proactively reached out to them.
Virtual platforms can be a really useful tool for training and liaising with people across other Trusts.
How do you think it changed the team?
It definitely made the team stronger and as individuals became closer. We have used virtual training really effectively this year and it is something that we will consider continuing to use in the future. It has highlighted to us what is really important, areas to focus on and really value both professionally and personally.
Beyond your team, who has inspired you during the pandemic?
Our colleagues pulling together, going above and beyond, continually adapting to change has been amazing and shows what a strong group of caring people we work alongside.
Our children have been fantastic and coped with all the various changes and difficulties we have faced.
Celebrating BWC Spirit
We are highlighting the amazing things our colleagues have done and achieved during the pandemic.
Our teams have bravely stood by the side of our patients, changed how they have worked to keep key and emergency services running and gone beyond the Trust to help colleagues in other parts of the NHS.
They have done so with an approach and spirit that is uniquely BWC and we want to celebrate that and what has been achieved.
From frontline clinical colleagues to our unseen and often unsung heroes in labs, offices and in our corridors - everyone has had a part to play and we’re sharing some of their stories over the next two weeks.
If you would like to thank individuals or teams either by sharing some kind words, pictures or a short video we would love to see them. You can submit your messages, pictures or videos by emailing bwc.communications@nhs.net