Welcome to the Waterhouse Team! #TeamRUH

My name is Nichola Hartley, I’m a Senior Sister on the Waterhouse Ward here at the Royal United Hospitals Bath (RUH). At Waterhouse Ward, we care for older patients and more specifically patients with Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders. We aim to get our patients up and moving to help maintain their independence as safely and quickly as possible. There are over 620,000 people in the catchment area who benefit from these services at the RUH.

The COVID pandemic had a huge impact on the hospital but especially for us at Waterhouse Ward because we had to quickly adapt to care for patients with COVID and at the time sadly lost their fight against the virus it’s been so difficult when patients aren’t allowed, visitors. We used Facetime and the phone for them to keep in touch with their friends and relatives. We made a pledge to each other that we would never let anyone die alone – we managed to keep that promise.

The staff here make me really, really proud more than anything – how they go above and beyond every day. One example is when we had a homeless gentleman on the ward – one of the staff took his clothes home to wash and iron them for him. That might not seem like a big deal, but to that patient, it meant the world. That just shows how much they care. My team works so hard. There is no hesitation to provide cover when another staff member is sick because they know our patients still need to be cared for.

I think I can speak for most people and say the pandemic has taught us many things but two that stick in my head are to worry less about the little things, yet at the same time it has made us appreciate the smaller things in life. And you only live ones with limited time, so try to say yes to everything. That’s why five of my wonderful work colleagues on Waterhouse Ward including Healthcare Assistants, Nurses, and Nurse Specialist along with seven members of the public who are associated with the ward, have decided to take part in a Skydive on Sunday 26th of September jumping out of a plane high in the sky and then falling 125mph to the ground to raise funds for Waterhouse Ward via The Forever Friends Appeal – the fundraising charity for the hospital. 

Among other things, the pandemic has required us all to draw on skills and attributes that are associated with the notion of being well-rounded, such as adaptability, resilience, positivity, tenacity, and empathy. All of which our staff has displayed continually throughout. That said, there’s no doubt that challenges brought about by the pandemic have affected many people’s mental well-being, and another thing which we already knew, and the pandemic has certainly confirmed, is that it’s just as important to monitor and nurture our mental health as it is our physical health.

We’re super excited for this event, looking to hopefully raise as much money as possible to transform and in power our patients to maintain as much as their independence to give our patients the best possible chance of recovering in a positive and therapeutic environment.

The team needs your help to help smash their 5,000 target! So please help by spread the word about what we are doing with your friends, families, and colleagues and support us with a donation if you can. Even if you can’t donate please share, like, and just generally show your amazing support for us, we are doing this for us and you!

Now more than ever, your support means so much to us.

Thank you! #TeamWaterhouse