Sarah, home help in Wigan

I have recently completed placement with Skills for Health Academy and Wigan and Leigh College. The programme consisted of 4 weeks college training covering a range of topics such as Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Infection Control, Equality and Diversity and Team Work and Communication. The programme also consisted of a 10 week work placement undertaking the role of an Auxiliary Nurse at The Royal Albert Infirmary on the Clinical Decisions Ward. This ward has a variety of patients who are waiting for results so they can be discharged ready to go home, there are also some patients who come in overnight from alcohol incidents.
On placement I undertook a range of duties on a daily basis these included:
Support patients with personal care which includes washing/showering, changing PJs and clothes.
Supporting patients during meal times this also involves feeding patients who are unable to feed themselves.
Check patients are comfortable and have everything they need
Give out food and drinks to patients throughout the day
Support patients to use the toilet
Ensure all patient areas are clean and sterilized this involves cleaning drawers, wardrobes, bed rails, feed stands and chairs.
Make patients beds
Chat to patients to ease loneliness or to reassure them if they are anxious or upset.
I have completed infection control training which I followed when on placement. My understanding of infection control is to reduce the risk of infection within the workplace. On the ward as there were patients with infections it was important that I followed infection control procedures at all times. Although some patients are not known to have an infection it was still very important that I wore personal protective equipment at all times such as gloves and aprons. I also washed my hands throughout the day when leaving and entering the ward and also before and after contact with a patient.

As I was dealing with patients’ personal information it was important that I am aware of confidentiality. I did not leave patients information lying round and I ensured it was secured away. When I was discussing confidential information with patient or a member of staff I made sure that I am discrete so I cannot be overheard. Any information that needs to be disposed I put into the confidentiality waste bin so others could not access it. I also only discussed patient information with the relevant members of staff.
During my training 4 week college training at Wigan and Leigh College I undertook a safeguarding course and I am aware that is important that patients are safe from harm and abuse. As an Auxiliary Nurse I had a duty of care and if a patient disclosed information or I heard or seen something that concerned me that I reported immediately to a line manager.
With any working environment it is vital that Health and Safety policies and procedures are followed at all times. Prior to starting my placement I completed manual handling and health and safety training which built my knowledge with relation to health and safety within the NHS. When using manual handling equipment I always ensured that it was safe to use and free from any damage, if any equipment was is fit for purpose I would report this immediately to ensure that this was not used by another member of staff.
On the ward I work as part of a team every day. An example of when I have worked as part of a team was when myself and another colleague worked together to give a patient a bed bath. We asked the patient permission first and informed the patient of what we was going to do and pulled the curtain round to give the patient privacy. We discussed what order we would wash the patient and as I rolled the patient to one side ensuring they were comfortable my colleague would wash their body. We would then work together to dress the patient ensuring they were comfortable at all times.
I feel during my time on placement I have shown how I am a good team player i also I feel I am an approachable person and I able to build good relationships with patients and their relatives. I always go out my way to sit and talk to patients and their families to update them on their progress.

I have really enjoyed my placement and I have really enjoyed helping patients during their time in hospital. Personally I feel like there is no better feeling that helping others and knowing that you have made a difference no matter how big or small and this job is everything I could want from life and more.