Formula 1 nurse returns to front line to treat COVID-19 patients

A former NHS nurse who returned to work at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust says she felt compelled to offer her services during the pandemic.

Su Chantry, who last worked in the NHS as a Neonatal Critical Care Nurse at the John Radcliffe Hospital 15 years ago, began working at the same Oxford hospital again in March 2020.

Since being fast tracked to the frontline via NHS Professionals' Rapid Response service, she has worked on the general medicine, orthopaedics, and acute respiratory wards - all wards with COVID-19 positive patients.

Su, who has a degree in public health nursing, was working as an Occupational Health Manager at Williams Grand Prix Engineering in Grove before the pandemic. She also has her own occupational health business supporting the health and wellbeing of local small and medium businesses.

With her clinical work being paused due to infection control measures and a national call to all registrants to assist in the NHS, Su didn't need to think twice about returning to work in the NHS and supporting OUH staff.

She said: "Without hesitation, I signed up to the Rapid Response as I had to do something to help in the crisis management.

"As an active registrant, I felt I had to assist my NHS colleagues - I think many of us in the private sector felt the same."

Su's role day-to-day is dependent on the allocated area she's assigned to work, which is allocated by the Rapid Response service.

She said: "It has been a baptism of fire, but it's also been enlightening to return to the wards. The technology has moved on so far from my traditional days of ward work in the 1990s. That's been a challenge, but the nursing process has not changed."

Su was welcomed back to the wards and has settled in quickly.

She said: "The teamwork and positive support from staff has been a boost of confidence. I've really enjoyed going back to my roots and nursing patients in hospital. Basic nursing skills never go away.

"I may not be part of the permanent team, but I have shared the highs and lows with the amazing staff I have shared a shift with."

Su added: "I plan to be available for as long as I am needed and needed and deemed useful."

A total of 339 staff members have been recruited to the Trust through the NHS Professionals' Rapid Response scheme. These include nurses, doctors, midwives and other support staff.

Andrew Carter, Director of Nursing Workforce at the Trust, said: "Our wonderful staff are doing everything they possibly can to meet the challenges associated with this global pandemic, and it is invaluable that we are being supported by committed former colleagues such as Su to provide the best care possible to COVID-19 patients.

"To those dedicated people who have returned to work to help others - thank you."

Anne Challinor, Director of Client Relations at NHS Professionals, said: "We are grateful to Su and everyone else who has answered our call and returned to the frontline to support patients and our NHS trusts during these unprecedented times."

Pictured: Su Chantry