Public health nurses teaming up to stay safe on the job

Concerned about crime in general and recent attacks on some healthcare workers, public health nurses are taking no chances and have started a buddy system when going on home visits or entering certain areas. 

Senior Health Sister at the Randal Phillips Polyclinic, Fay Denny, said the move is part of an effort to stay safe while continuing to provide vital services.

“With the trends in violence and stuff, nurses have apprehensions, but we still can’t use that as a reason not to get out in the community,” she said. “We’ve started buddying. So nurses would go on their own usually. But we’ve started pairing so that they have a sense of a little bit of security.”

Denny was speaking to Barbados TODAY as nurses gathered at Golden Square Freedom Park on Tuesday to provide free checks for blood pressure, blood sugar, and tests for prostate health, syphilis and HIV, as part of Public Health Nurses Week.

Nurses are also facing pressure from the ongoing migration of healthcare workers, Denny said. 

“There’s a general trend in nurses migrating and the numbers are not as good as we would want them to be. Nevertheless, we are trying to give the service that the community needs,” she said.

On top of that, Denny said the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic still lingers: “Coming out of COVID, there’s just a general increase in mental health challenges. And, of course, nursing would not be exempted from that. But we have tried to put measures in place — be a brother’s keeper, having someone you can actually talk to.”

Nurses providing health checks at the Golden Square Freedom Park. (LG)

The senior nurse also noted that the country still has a shortage of male nurses, who can play an important role both in community safety and when dealing with aggressive patients. 

“We welcome the males. Because you can’t get away from the fact that even when you go in the community, having a male presence may make you feel a bit more secure than two women, I guess,” she said.

Despite the challenges, Denny said nurses remain committed to providing care and education. 

“We are doing our best. I still believe that nurses care and that they want to give good care,” she said.

Public Health Nurses Week continues with more outreach, a Nurses’ Appreciation Day on Friday, and a beach day on Saturday for nurses to unwind. (LG)