In Conversation with Andrea Nicholas

In Conversation: Andrea Nicholas

An extremely active SCC Member especially in the Squash Section where she serves as Secretary, Andrea Nicholas works as a pharmacist at a community/ rehabilitation hospital with mainly elderly patients, where she is part of a healthcare team that manages the use of medicines in the hospital, including preparing and supervising the dispensing of medicines.

In an email interview with The Padang, Andrea shared how work has changed since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, how has your job differed?

In late January we began to change how we worked in order to protect our patients and staff from Coronavirus. Emphasis was put on infection control by increased hand hygiene, wearing of masks when up in the wards, and physical distancing.

In early February we moved to Dorscon Orange and more things changed. We have to record our temperatures and health status daily. Masks are worn at all times; safedistancing strategies were introduced, access to wards was restricted. We are continually washing our hands and disinfecting surfaces. Meetings and training went online.

The Pharmacy department split into two teams - one week we are Pharmacy-based and the next we work remotely in another location within the hospital.

Since mid-April, two of our wards have been admitting Covid-19 patients. This has taken our infection control and distancing practises

“We will get through this and things will get back to normal eventually, although it may be a new normal.”

up another notch. To help, we have staggered our work hours so as to accommodate late admissions or discharges.

What are the challenges you face at work? Has that impacted on your personal life?

Our hours and work load have changed a bit with two teams, but luckily I don’t have young children so the change in work hours doesn’t affect me so much.

What is the atmosphere at your workplace like now during this circuit breaker period?

Staff morale is good and we feel we are doing our bit. We have got used to the new ways of working, but miss being able to mix with the other pharmacy team during or after work.

What motivates you?

I am just doing my job and am grateful to be able to contribute at this time.

What do you most look forward to doing when the circuit breaker period ends?

Coming back to the Club to play squash and see my friends - the social isolation is hard, and like a lot of us – go on holiday!!

What would you like to say to your fellow Members?

We will get through this and things will get back to normal eventually, although it may be a new normal. But we shouldn’t be complacent; good hand hygiene and social distancing will help keep us all safe.