United in a single goal

During the lockdown, to maintain our critical mechanical and electrical services, the estates and facilities team were often required to work longer hours that were well outside of usual shift patterns.

To ensure support was available to keep clinical and surgical divisions operating, many staff took the difficult decision to isolate from loved ones.

Stewart Knights, Estates Projects Manager, isolated from his partner, son and daughter, who live in Norfolk, for over 14 weeks, he didn’t leave the grounds of Northwick Park for the first seven of those weeks.

Stewart shared his experience with Our Trust. “At the beginning of the lockdown the team was working 15-hour days to complete the Chaucer ward, children’s ward and ambulatory care unit relocation. “Over 30 staff and contractors worked seven days a week to get the job over the line. One member of the team contracted the virus and was sent to a facility for NHS staff who tested positive. “I was fortunate enough to have been given a box of my grandfather’s letters he had sent home to his parents during WW2, while serving with the RAF in North Africa. There were over 140 letters describing his experiences as a young man sent to a foreign place to serve his country. “I used these letters to better understand the person who my grandfather was and, in a strange way, they began to give me the strength to keep pushing on when the physical and mental pressures began to take hold.

“My colleague, Peter Barton also isolated from his partner, who lives in the west midlands, for nearly three months. He stayed within the hospital grounds ready for when a call came through for our assistance at a moment’s notice.

Pictured left, Stewart Knights with Peter Barton, right

“For many of us, there were times when the pressure of work and isolation from loved ones would begin to get too much. But, as a result, we became even stronger and united as a team, knowing that we had each others’ backs when needed.

“We created new ways of working, improvising with shortages of building materials to achieve and develop the existing infrastructure across our sites. The strength of our internal teams was reinforced by many of our building, mechanical & electrical contractors.

“All of those contractors who chose to return to the Trust, day on day, understood the implications this could have on their families when they returned home each evening. “Their dedication and commitment deserve recognition. There are two people who deserve the utmost praise and thanks. John Harfield (VM Construction) and Lee Dart (BOSS Plumbing) volunteered to enter any, and every, Covid-positive ward and department (including ICU and HDU) throughout the lockdown to deliver and install essential kit and equipment. Their efforts were essential in helping medical staff care for critically ill patients.”

“I am extremely proud of all my colleagues from estates and facilities, who put their job before their families and friends. I can honestly say that, having worked in the NHS for over 20 years, I have never seen colleagues so united to deliver a single goal - saving lives.”