Monday 23 August 2021 marked the start of the inaugural ‘Celebrating Health and Social Care Support Workers Week’ at NHS Lothian. Our Health and Social Care Support Workers across all departments do amazing work 24/7 to help keep the wheels turning in some of our busiest wards and facilities.
This ‘Celebrating Health and Social Care Support Workers Week’, we want to introduce you to just a few of our much loved team.
Jill Casey is a Health Care Support Worker at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP). We’ve asked her about her long running career with NHS Lothian:
What was your pathway into being a support worker?
I started in the late 80’s as a part time Auxiliary Nurse in A&E at the old Royal Hospital for Sick Children. I enjoyed the variation of work and gained lots of experience. I also met and worked with a lot of fantastic colleagues, some who are still close friends. In the 90s I moved on to support Outpatient clinics, where I still am today. I’m delighted to now be based at the brand new, state-of-the-art RHCYP. I have gained a good knowledge from the various Outpatients clinics I’ve worked in throughout my career.
What are your daily tasks?
I help set up the daily clinics, meet families, take heights and weights, blood pressures, urinalysis, phlebotomy clinics and also help take bloods for other clinics. I also help make sure the department’s stock levels are kept up and daily cleaning is up to date.
What it’s like being a support worker?
As a support worker we are all part of one team to help support the smooth running of the day to day clinics. I really enjoy the team ethic and I love the relationship I get to have with families and staff.
What do you love most about the job?
I really enjoy meeting all the families and the children and helping people to feel at ease. Working in Outpatients can be most rewarding at times. I always find time to be happy at work! It’s the best medicine!
