Sue asked to train as healthcare assistant after caring for coronavirus patients in first-time hospital job

At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, Sue Adkins saw an opportunity to apply for a role at Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) as a hospitality assistant.Sue, who was previously a carer, put herself on the frontline to help feed, dress and communicate with COVID-19 patients at the Favell Wing at Cynthia Spencer Hospice before they could return home.

Sue, who was in a team of eight, said: “At the start of the pandemic, I wanted to help in any way I could so I applied for the role of hospitality assistant at NHFT. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was provided with support from the very start of my time on Favell Wing.

“My day-to-day role was to provide food and drinks for patients throughout the day, as well as providing company for patients by helping with crossword puzzles.

"It was nice to be able to provide companionship for patients, and be able to help out during a difficult time."

The Favell Wing had previously been unused for more than eight years and in just three weeks was transformed into a clinical care setting to care from patients from Northampton and Kettering General Hospitals.

It was stepped down at the start of July as all patients were able to return home but Sue has continued to work for NHFT and is now training to become a healthcare assistant.

“I really look forward to coming into work knowing that I will be working with such supportive colleagues and making a difference to patients’ days," she added.

"When Favell Wing closed at the start of July, I wanted to continue to support our communities and I was encouraged to apply for as healthcare assistant, which I am really looking forward to starting in the coming weeks.”

NHFT recruited for hospitality assistant roles to support clinical services during Covid-19. The roles were introduced to combine a mixture of duties from a healthcare assistant and domestic roles.

More than 126 people put themselves forward for a job in the first wave of applications before 84 members of staff were recruited. The second tranche of recruitment saw 101 applications submitted and a further 64 hospitality assistants joined the group.

Chris Oakes, executive director of HR and organisational development at NHFT, added: “We initially recruited for hospitality assistants to provide support across NHFT’s services during the pandemic and we are pleased the initiative’s success.

"It is great to see how much Sue has enjoyed working at NHFT and that it has provided the opportunity for her to apply and join us as a healthcare assistant.”