12 Think before you glove… do I need to wear them? Only use gloves following a risk assessment and if you anticipate: Always perform hand hygiene before putting on and after removing gloves. Search ‘gloves off’ on Freenet for more information. 60 seconds with… Terry Molyneaux Housekeeper based on 6E at RFH What does your role involve? It’s a very busy job. I order the food for patients and restock the ward with everything from catheters to syringes and specialist equipment. Essentially I do whatever needs to be done! I see my job as keeping the ward flowing, making sure trays and cutlery are ready for patient meals and ensuring everything is in working order. That means dealing closely with the estates team and medical electronics to get repairs done as quickly as possible. This job requires common sense, energy and good observational skills. If I see a job that needs doing I do it. What does a typical day look like for you? I work flexible hours which means technically I start at 6.45am and finish at 2.45pm but most days I’m here by 5am. I’m a very early riser, don’t need much sleep and I like to keep busy. That way by the time handover takes place with the nurses coming in for their day shift I’ve already got everything shipshape. What’s the strangest request you’ve ever had? I do get the occasional patient asking for me to take them back home with me! I think they just appreciate that I try and have a word for them. You do sometimes get asked if you’ll get them a McDonalds and I do have to explain that’s outside my job description. How long have you been at the RFH? In my early twenties I worked in a successful business making bespoke protective cases for bands so they could take their instruments and sound systems on tour. My clients included Elton John and Spandau Ballet and I was doing really well. But when I was 23 I developed neurosarcoidosis, which inflamed my brain and caused me to suffer from a lot of seizures. I spent a lot of time in hospital and ended up having to learn how to do everything again, including how to walk. It would have been all too easy to give up but I didn’t. Yes I walk with a limp and it gets worse as the day goes on but I’m proud of being disabled and working hard. I still have a brain and for the past 20 years or so I’ve been putting it to good use being a housekeeper here. I think my attitude impresses patients – they think if I can do it so can they and it gives them hope. What support do you need? On a ward we need to remember we’re a team. For instance just because I’m off for a couple of days doesn’t mean you can’t raise a ticket if there’s a job for estates. We all need to take responsibility instead of letting things pile up. As far as being disabled goes I would say my job helps me in mind, body and spirit. I keep my head held high. • contact with blood, bodily fluids, mucous membranes or non-intact skin • contact with harmful chemicals • caring for a patient in isolation or with signs of infection
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