Posted 21 February 2022 - 14:47
Posted 21 February 2022 - 14:47
News
From the COVID-19 front line to Olympic curling champion
General surgical nurse Vicky Wright won gold with her teammates in Beijing and says the sport helps her cope with pressures she often faces at work
General surgical nurse Vicky Wright won gold with her teammates in Beijing and says the sport helps her cope with pressures she often faces at work
Surgical nurses are used to working under pressure and it was no different when Vicky Wright stepped onto the curling pitch to win gold at the Winter Olympics in Beijing.
Ms Wright and her Team GB women’s curling teammates stood on the winners’ podium after beating Japan 10-3 yesterday.
The general surgical nurse, from Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, Scotland, was working on the front line right up until January before beginning four weeks of preparation for the Olympics.
‘Everyone on the ward was rooting for Vicky’
A spokesperson for NHS Forth Valley, which runs the hospital, said they were proud of her achievements and were looking forward to welcoming her back.
‘Vicky is not only an incredible sportswoman but also a very caring and dedicated nurse,’ they said.
‘Everyone on the ward was rooting for Vicky and the team. Staff on night duty managed to watch snippets of the match during their breaks, and those who weren't on duty got together online to watch the match and cheer her on.’
Olympic winner was nursing throughout the pandemic
Ms Wright began curling at the age of 11 and said the sport helps her deal with the stressful situations she often faces at work.
She began working reduced hours in 2019 to focus on her curling career, but continued to support the NHS by working on the front line throughout the pandemic.
Nurse praises ‘amazing colleagues’ at hospital for their support
Before departing for Beijing she said she hoped to return to full-time nursing soon, adding it was a ‘dream come true’ to compete in the Winter Olympics.
‘I have amazing colleagues in Ward B11 at Forth Valley Royal Hospital who have supported me all the way and made my Olympic dream possible,’ she said.
‘Juggling work has been difficult and I am so lucky to be allowed to compete at the highest level while having a rewarding job.’
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