Heroes on the Covid-19 frontline – nurses have their say

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, frontline workers have had a profound impact on the lives of the public as they have selflessly placed their lives at risk to save others.

The Advertiser spoke to a few nurses at Netcare Sunward Park Hospital to find out how Covid-19 has affected them amid increased medical risk.

Sr Anne Midwood, a registered nurse and unit manager (section D)
Midwood shared that since she’s been a qualified nurse since 1981, she never thought on a single day that she would experience what she’s seeing in her line of work during the pandemic.

“It is tough to see patients struggling to breathe and as a nurse, it’s impossible to remove yourself from the human emotion of watching another person suffer,” said Midwood.

During the first wave of Covid-19, she tested positive as well as some of her family members.

“I was very worried that it could’ve been I who brought it home from the hospital, despite how very careful we are to protect our patients and family. Many of us have had to make significant sacrifices. For example, one of my team was not able to see her own mother for over two months, as she feared the risk of transmission to her mom,” said Midwood.

She indicated that the hospital has organised counsellors to help them deal with what they face daily.

“Being able to share experiences and talk things through with someone has been very beneficial. The community has also supported us during this time, with a local church coming to pray just outside the hospital. The leadership of the hospital has also been a beacon of light to those of us managing units and centres at this time,” she said.

In keeping herself and her team motivated and in high spirits, Midwood lights a candle every day at the nurse’s station to bringing hope into their workspace, as well as remind nurses that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and that this too shall pass.

Sr Charlene Pieters – registered nurse and unit manager of a maternity ward
The hospital’s maternity ward also had to make dramatic changes in preparation for an entirely new way of handling labour and deliveries.

“It was a stressful and scary time, where our primary focus had to shift from the normal safe birthing practices to thinking of protecting babies and mothers against the virus,” said Pieters.

Pieters said through all the challenges they’ve faced, they’ve had good moments and they’ve learnt to live for the positive outcomes such as the Covid-19 positive mothers who deliver a negative baby, who could then be discharged.

“Every time we had a healthy mother and baby discharged it was an achievement that helped to keep us motivated. Our greatest focus at this time is to support the mothers who are birthing without their partners and to protect their health and that of their babies,” she said.

Sr Hellen Mahlangu – registered nurse and unit manager of a neonatal ward
Mahlangu explained since the outbreak of Covid-19 they’ve struggled with adjustment of the workflow.

“There was extra time spent on administration and, of course, the added health and safety protocols, over and above our already strict hygiene policies. We also found ourselves keeping the doors closed and having to separate families at times to protect their health and that of their babies. This was emotionally draining and stressful,” she said.

Mahlangu said communication kept her and her colleagues going as they shared their challenges with each other.

“Looking back, there is a strong connection that has been made between all of us as healthcare workers during this time. In our team we really have become even more like family and our strategy for the future, no matter what it brings, is to maintain this connection,” Mahlangu said.

Sr Audrey Gertse – registered nurse and unit manager of high care
Gertse highlighted that some of the worst challenges they’ve had to deal with have been patient fatalities.

“We have also been under tremendous pressure and when our colleagues are taken ill with the virus, we worry for them as well as having to carry a heavier load ourselves. However, I have found that self-care can really help to deal with the stress and have encouraged my team to look after themselves,” she said.

The nurses have urged everyone to play their part in fighting the spread of coronavirus.

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