THE HIDDEN ANGELS

We’ve clapped our nurses, called them heroes and watched as they’ve battled in hospitals, often exhausted, to care for people during the pandemic. But there’s another team of care workers in the background...

MC magazine shines a spotlight on the ‘hidden’ angels, nurses working day and night in homes across towns and cities, to keep people safe and free up wards, beds and staff within hospitals.

It’s not just during a pandemic. Every minute of every day a community nurse will be part of a team caring for someone in their home, care home or perhaps in supported living accommodation.

They’ll be helping people manage long term conditions that, left untreated, could end up in a hospital admission. They’ll be there when someone goes through a mental health crisis, support a person with a learning disability to live independently. And if someone is nearing the end of their life and wants to die at home, they support the person to do so with dignity.

EARNING THEIR WINGS…

District nurse team leader Erica Daley made national headlines when she was captured on camera in front of street artist Paul Curtis’s Liver Wings at Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle. Community matron Susan Tay and nurse care practitioner Michael Turner were also the subject of Press Association photographer Peter Byrne’s creative eye.

I am incredibly proud of the dedication and commitment shown by all of my colleagues during the most challenging of times. We take enormous pride in the care that we deliver to the most vulnerable people in our communities. This was true before the pandemic and has now taken on an even greater significance.

At a time of a national crisis, I am proud to be a nurse.

- Nurse care practitioner Michael Turner

Susan Tay

It is an absolute privilege to be working within community services as a matron during these difficult and challenging times. Working together in innovative ways to provide high quality care for our patients and their families is paramount and remains at the forefront of community nursing.

- Community matron, Susan Tay

Erica Daley

- District nurse team leader, Erica Daley