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Regional NHS workers support the frontline to combat Coronavirus

More than 50 regional NHS staff from NHS England and NHS Improvement’s Midlands team have been redeployed to support the frontline teams fighting Coronavirus.

Jodie Powell

Jodie Powell has been playing an important role as a Senior Programme Manager in transforming the cardiac and stroke services in the Midlands but is now a matron at the new Nightingale Hospital in Birmingham.

“Having trained as a nurse I reached out to see if I could play a role to support the fight on the frontline,” said Jodie. “Our Head of Nursing asked if I could go and support the Nightingale as that’s where my skill set would be best used. I saw it as a huge opportunity to make a difference and support the incredible Covid-19 response.”

Jodie adds, “The spirit at the hospital is absolutely remarkable. The majority of us have come from various NHS Trusts and NHS England and NHS Improvement roles but it feels that we have worked together for years because everyone has gelled immediately which is testament to the nursing spirit.”

Kimberley Kingsley, Assistant Director of Nursing and Quality at NHS England and NHS Improvement in the Midlands, is now working as Head of Operations at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.

Kimberley Kingsley

“I qualified as an enrolled nurse in 1983 and I actually trained at the Leicester Royal Infirmary,” says Kimberley. “At the age of 18 I was already working in the hospital and was there for 25 years clinically and then progressing into more senior management roles before I left.

“Coming back to the hospital I started is special and it feels like coming home, working with a fantastic team,” adds Kimberley. “I have come back with a wealth of knowledge, experience and insight which I hope is adding value and support to the Trust at such a crucial time. I am working closely with the Acting Chief Operating Officer.

“The Trust has been extremely supportive and welcoming. I’m still bumping into nurses who I’ve trained and worked alongside who are still working on the frontline. I will certainly support the Trust and my colleagues with whatever they want me to do.

“It’s a challenging environment and everybody is working extremely hard to ensure that patients get the care that they need and that all the staff are fully supported.”

Steve Morrison, Regional Workforce Director at NHS England and NHS Improvement in the Midlands, said:

“We are hugely grateful to our colleagues who have stepped away from their current roles to use all their skills and experience on the frontline. Their compassion and commitment show how the NHS is working together to ensure that patients receive the care that they need at this critical time.

“Our wonderful staff are doing everything within their power to manage this unprecedented global challenge but every single one of us has an important role to play in protecting our NHS heroes by washing our hands, staying home and saving lives.”