Sep 06, 2019

Does a group of young volunteers have what it takes to work in healthcare?

A new documentary television series follows a group of young volunteers with no healthcare experience to see how well they can fill the gaps in an overstretched health system.

This series was inspired by a social care programme in Germany, and sets out to find if the volunteers can make a difference to both patients and staff.

The volunteers help staff and care for patients at Royal Derby Hospital, following nurses through the maternity ward, accidents and emergency, paediatrics, and elderly care.

Before they can work with the patients, the volunteers will be trained by Clinical Educator, Andy, who is cautious about the success of the experiment.

“It’s a big job, I’m very nervous. They could kill somebody,” he observes.

Senior nurses and sisters help the volunteers navigate their way as they face what must be among the most challenging weeks of their lives.

Learning empathy on the job

A BBC Two video about the series follows Eric, who is hard of hearing and having trouble eating, and volunteer Deborah, who is trying to help him.

At first, Deborah finds it hard to connect with Eric. 

We hear the first time the two met was when Eric’s stoma burst, an experience Deborah found traumatic.

Eventually, another volunteer, Poppy, joins Deborah. They use a whiteboard to ask Eric some questions. Deborah writes, ‘What music do you like?’ Eric replies, “Anything that sounds nice.” He is smiling and laughing, and so are the volunteers.

The volunteers ask Eric about his son, and he tells them he had another son, David, who died when he was 30. “He was marvellous. He’d do anything for you,” he recalled through tears.

The emotion-charged moment brings the volunteers and Eric closer together.

A few days later Eric is feeding himself, the first time he has done so for weeks.

“You’re lovely,” Eric tells the volunteer, his frail hand clutching hers.

Let’s hope this moving series will make it to Australian screens soon.

Image: BBC.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Aged Care Flu Death Toll Double Last Year’s in Victoria

This year’s flu season has been particularly hard on Victoria’s elderly. The flu, or influenza, is a highly contagious viral infection, spread by contact with fluids from coughs and sneezes. Statistics from The Department of Health and Human Services have revealed that 78 aged care residents have died due to the influenza virus. This is... Read More

NSW aged cares homes to allow visitors from October 11

The NSW government has at last announced when visitors will be allowed back into nursing homes. From 11 October, two fully vaccinated people will be allowed to visit loved ones in residential aged care. Read More

New Advance Care Directive Law Introduced

When a person comes to the end of their life, and are unable to make choices for themselves about their care, it can often come down to their loved ones and the healthcare professionals around them. And unless you know what they want, it can be hard to know exactly what to do. Last week,... Read More
Advertisement
Exit mobile version