Lifesavers wanted for GWH emergency team

By Claire Dukes - 23 November 2017

Health

An open day for people interested in joining the lifesavers working in Wiltshire’s largest Emergency Department is happening on Saturday 2 December.

Taking place at the Great Western Hospital, the open day is an opportunity for nurses of all ages and experiences to see the busy department in action, talk with staff and get a feel for the rewarding nature of this fast-paced career. The event, which lets candidates sit an interview on the day without having to wait, will also be a chance for anybody interested in volunteering in the Emergency Department or the Linnet Acute Medical Unit to find out more about this vital support role. Those coming along will be able to try their hand at the basic skills needed for a career in emergency care, such as applying and removing plaster casts. Considered by many to be the beating heart of the NHS, the last 12 months saw more than 78,000 patients look to staff in the department for help. Chris Bull, Senior Emergency Department Matron, said: “Working in emergency nursing is hard work. But with that hard work comes one of the most fulfilling jobs there is. “It’s said of a lot of careers that two days are never the same, but nowhere is that more true than in the Emergency Department. “One minute you can be helping an elderly person after a fall or holding a child’s hand as they have stitches and the next you could be receiving patients with life-threatening injuries from the air ambulance outside. “Not everyone has what it takes to succeed in the Emergency Department, but those who do have the ability to make a real difference to so many.” The last 12 months have seen the department go from strength to strength, with staff receiving a rating of outstanding for the care provided to patients from the Care Quality Commission following an inspection in the spring. It was the second time the department has been inspected in two years and was an opportunity for the team to showcase the changes and improvements that have been introduced since 2015. The Emergency Department has now had four of its five previous ratings upgraded after CQC inspectors were impressed with the progress made by the team. In 2014 the department benefited from a multi-million pound refurbishment and the creation of a dedicated children’s section. Located next to the main department, the Children’s ED is a protected area in which children up to the age of 18 can be cared for in a more private and calming environment. To register a place at the open day, which takes place between 10am and 3pm, visit the NHS jobs website, www.jobs.nhs.uk and search for the Great Western Hospital. For more information about the emergency department, visit www.gwh.nhs.uk

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