Our estates teams at HRI went into overdrive to reopen two wards in just six hours to help us cope with the winter pressures.  

Team Leader Sue Kilner, porter Wilf Moses, domestic Josh Griffin and domestic Diane Sedgewick teamed up for a massive all-out effort to get the extra beds open for patients.  

The emergency hour call-out went out on December 29 at 5 pm. Sue Kilner recalls: "I received a call to reopen wd 20 A-side, after restrictions were lifted, which consisted of a full tristel clean and curtain change. This was followed by a call from matron to open up the ambulatory room on MAU and to locate four beds, lockers and tables, followed by another call to open up Ward 4 which also consisted of hanging curtains, and a clean, all within a short period of time."

Sue co-ordinated for four members of staff  to concentrate on Ward 20,  then they assisted matron Louise Taylor and porter Wilf, in the transportation of beds, lockers and tables down to the MAU. Once that was completed they went to check on  the progress on Ward 20. By 9 pm that too was completed. We were then able to focus on ward 4, cleaning down couple of rooms, hanging curtains and replenishing paper products and hand soap completing this by 11pm."

Facilities Manager Jason Bushby, said: " From that call at 5 pm they did an amazing job. It was full-on and non-stop and they stayed on to ensure it was all done. It got so late one of the lads even paid for his own taxi home after it all (later reimbursed). We talk about “above and beyond” but this really raised the bar to ensure our patients had the beds they needed and we could care for them properly.”