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Nursing in the floods: praise for outstanding professionalism of community and acute staff

Nursing teams keep patients and each other safe during flood crisis
Flooding in the village of Catcliffe near Sheffield

Nursing teams keep patients and each other safe during flood crisis


The challenge for nurses working in communities such as Catcliffe, on the river Rother
in South Yorkshire, is clear Picture: PA

Nurses working in flood-hit areas of England have been praised for their commitment to patients in the face of hazardous weather conditions. 

There are 34 flood warnings in place in the Midlands and north of England – five warnings are about risk to life, and there are a further 76 flood alerts. One woman was swept to her death in Derbyshire on 8 November.

Temporary beds for stranded healthcare staff


David Purdue of Doncaster and
Bassetlaw trust

At Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire, nurses have been offering spare beds at home to colleagues who would otherwise be stranded and unable to travel home. The trust has offered free parking and accommodation to any staff unable to get home safely.

Trust director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals, David Purdue, said: 'Colleagues – some of whom have been directly affected by the weather – have worked incredibly hard to ensure patients continue to receive the highest quality care and treatment.'

Nurses’ compassion and dedication in the face of the challenges and risks posed by the floods

In Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust executive nursing director Tracey Wrench said her teams were supporting the public in local authority centres in flood-hit Doncaster. 


Tracey Wrench  of Rotherham,
Doncaster and South Humber trust

Ms Wrench said the community nurses had shown great commitment, compassion and dedication in a rapidly changing situation.

'Our nurses travelled beyond the boundaries of Doncaster to administer IV treatment to a patient,’ she said. ‘I want to thank our community nurses and all the other community staff for going the extra mile. I am so proud of them.'

'Our nursing teams have been magnificent'

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust chief nurse Chris Morley described acute and community nursing teams in the city as 'magnificent', staying late and 'pulling out all the stops' for patients.

The Queen's Nursing Institute has announced it is offering financial assistance for items such as bedding and clothes to community nurses whose homes have been flooded. For more information, contact joanne.moorby@qni.org.uk

Caring in flood-hit communities

How are you keeping vital nursing services going?

Email: stephanie.berry@rcni.com 


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