'Like something you would see in a movie': Hartlepool hospital trust worker describes daily battle on Covid-19 ward

Cath Ruocco has spoken of being ‘surrounded by an invisible killer’ and of the inspirational team at the University Hospital of North Tees who are doing their utmost to help every patient with Covid-19.

They are an inspirational family who, even though they can’t hug each other at the moment, they still find a way to keep their spirits up, she said.

But she also had a message for anyone who is still not sticking to the social distancing rules and said: “Don’t think because you’re young you are immune.

“If I could give one message to them it would be, ‘how would you feel if you were dying in hospital and your loved ones couldn’t be with you?’

Cath is a Team Support on intensive care. She started in the role at the University Hospital of Hartlepool before transferring to North Tees.

She’s there to deal with visitors, help staff, to do data collection and administration duties.

She has been in the role for 14 years but she said: “I’ve seen a big change on the unit since the pandemic started.

“We had been preparing for quite a few weeks when we suddenly got our first patients in. At first it was just one or two and then it steadily rose to around 10

patients.

“I remember going home on a Monday and coming back on a Wednesday to find our Covid-19 patients had doubled and we were now using our surge beds. That’s when it hits you that this is real and how rapid things can unfold.

“You see the hospitals in London full and so busy and you think it’ll never happen to your unit but it did.

“I could no longer sit at my normal desk, I had to move from my desk to another area on the ward. And then suddenly we’re all wearing masks, temporary walls are going up, rooms are being used for putting on PPE, a command room is being put in place.

“It’s very surreal, like something you’d see in a movie.”

Cath, who lives near Castle Eden Dene, added: “There’s a mixture of emotions, because you are suddenly surrounded by an invisible killer. This thing that everyone has been talking about and everyone is trying to avoid is here, no more than 10 feet away.

“You feel desperately sad for the patients because they can’t have their families with them. And knowing that families are sitting at home, waiting for an update, wondering if they’ll ever see their loved ones again is heart wrenching.

“And I also feel so sorry for the nurses who have to spend hours in PPE. Their faces are scarred with lines from the masks and they have blisters on their noses. And the PPE is so uncomfortable.

“It’s such a horrible time for them.

“But it makes you feel inspired knowing that despite the difficult conditions they are working in they come in and get on with it. There is no hesitation, no complaining, they just do what needs to be done. They are an amazing team.

“We are like a family on intensive care and we support each other not just in the bad times like this pandemic but always. We still smile and we still have laughs, although we can’t hug each other at the moment, and we just try to keep each other going.

“It’s frustrating sometimes when you see members of the public still going out and enjoying themselves when they should be staying at home.

“This virus is a killer. Anyone can catch it. Don’t think because you’re young you’re immune. If I could give one message to them it would be, ‘how would you feel if you were dying in hospital and your loved ones couldn’t be with you?’ You may not fall ill but you could be passing the virus on to members of your family or your friends.

“Garden parties or rides out with your mates are not worth it. Stay at home.”

The public’s support each Thursday is a huge source of comfort and encouragement to all the NHS staff – and to others as well, said Cath.

“Seeing the Clap for Carers each week is a lovely gesture, not just for the NHS but for everyone who is volunteering or has to go out and do their job in such difficult circumstances.”

And the public’s amazing backing has not ended there either.

“We have had lots of donations sent in to us too, not just hot food, but chocolate and cake and toiletries. It is lovely for the staff to know that people are thinking of them and rooting for them and trying to do their bit to keep their morale high.

“It may not seem much but after spending hours in PPE coming out and having a cuppa and a piece of cake gives you that little boost that you need.

“Having downtime is very important too. I do photography in my spare time and I am currently working on a project in Castle Eden Dene. I am lucky in that I live close to the Dene and the countryside so I can go walking in the peace and quiet whilst I am off. And taking photographs is such a pleasure when you live in such a beautiful place.

“I also weave, something that I took up at the beginning of the year. I have made several items, shawls, scarves, table runners. The art of weaving is very complex and I have so much yet to learn but I absolutely adore it. Being able to create your own cloth is both a relaxing and rewarding experience.

“And yes this is the toughest time I have ever faced in my working life but I have a wonderful family who are there with constant messages of support.

“Knowing that I will see them again one day and be able to give them all a big hug is enough to keep you going.”

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