How the pandemic led to a new start for Matron Annette

Annette Martin has taken over the reins at Faversham Cottage Hospital, after being appointed matron in September last year. But 52-year-old Annette might not have even considered the role, if it hadn’t been for COVID-19.

Annette qualified as a nurse in 1992 and experienced a range of roles, including working as an agency nurse and matron in a care home and as a contraception and sexual health nurse for Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust. However, when COVID-19 came along she was temporarily moved into a ward-based role to support frontline teams – and it was there, she rediscovered her passion for inpatients.  

Annette said: “At the start of the pandemic in 2020, I was redeployed from my role as a safeguarding assurance lead to work on Heron Ward at the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital in Herne Bay. I felt a mixture of trepidation and excitement, as I had not worked on a ward since 1994.

“During my induction, I advised the team that even though I am a registered nurse I could only work as a healthcare assistant as I had not used many of my ward skills for a very long time. The team was very kind and welcoming, but I felt a sinking feeling when I was handed my personal protective equipment (PPE) and told that there were Covid-positive patients on the ward.

“I had a bit of a meltdown a few weeks in as I felt so overwhelmed, not just by the redeployment but also the world in general, things in both areas had changed so much. After a short while though, I began to feel like part of the team and we all pulled together to support each other, as well as our patients to get through.

“Once I had revisited my basic caring skills I did the necessary training and assessments to be able to use my nursing skills again; skills that were long forgotten and a joy to revisit. I was surprised by how much I actually did remember.

“I was aware that I would be on the ward for up to three months, but as my end date came closer and closer I began to feel a great sadness at leaving the ward. The experience had reignited my passion to work face-to-face again with frail patients and I realised how much I had missed it.

Annette returned to her usual post in August and continued the  role working from home.

She said: “I began to realise that I had been really happy on Heron Ward, almost like a ‘coming home’ happy. It had brought back memories of working on an acute elderly assessment ward and running a registered care home.

“I applied for the role of matron at Faversham Cottage Hospital and  got the job. I have been here now for six months. The team here has cemented my reflective thoughts, by being welcoming and supportive of me, and it still feels like a team achievement when we are able to assist a patient to achieve their rehabilitation potential and they are discharged.

“Of course, this role isn’t without its difficulties and pressures, but knowing that patient care is the centre of what we do is what keeps me smiling.”