Meet Rea - a Health Care Support Worker
Tell us about yourself
My name is Rea Pugh Davies, I am a health care support worker (HCSW) within the theatre department. I have been in post since 2016. I have a husband, two children and a dog called Elvis. Before I became a HCSW I was a community care assistant for 12 years working within the local area.
Was there anything that made you want to consider a career as a HCSW?
I wanted to become a HCSW as I always wanted to become a nurse, however I had my children young and couldn’t afford to go to university. A community care assistant was the next best thing, I could care for people and work the hours that suited my family life.
What is a typical day like as a HCSW?
I am privileged to care for people when they are at their most vulnerable. I get to spend time with people and get to know their likes/dislikes and what alleviates their anxieties. The whole theatre experience can be quite scary for people. I get to meet some impressive people, some have lived with health conditions for years and have lots of stories to tell. I get to meet their families and loved ones. It is such a rewarding job and I love it.
What do you think are the qualities that make a HCSW?
Being a people person and a team player. HCSWs are the cogs in the smooth running of the ward. Being able to talk and listen to people and really get to know those who you are caring for is an essential part of the job.
Is Swansea Bay Health Board a good organisation to work for?
It is. They have been very supportive especially as I have been seconded to complete my nurse training. I am still a HCSW for two days a week and a student nurse for three days. I am currently in my second year of training, and will hopefully qualify in 2023.
We hear you won an award recently. Tell us about this?
I won the Nursing Support Worker of the Year award at the 2020 RCNI Nurse Awards for the work that I do as a learning disability champion. I attend multi disciplinary team meetings and liaise with the carers/parents/home managers to get to know the patient then put a plan together for their admission to ensure it goes as smoothly as it can.
I have made picture books of theatre journeys as part of a de-sensitisation plan; made fidget pillows and bought fidget toys, posters and played the patients favourite music/films in theatre to make their experience a little better. This has so far been very successful - we even have consultants requesting their patients come to have their surgery with us.
How is your nurse training going?
I am in year two now and currently loving it. 2020 was a little stressful with a global pandemic of Covid-19, short-staffed wards, zoom lectures and limited placements available but, we made it through the first year. The second year has been more enjoyable and I feel that although the past year was tough it has been a huge learning experience both academically and personally.
I work with such a great team in theatre that I wanted to train and become a nurse to hopefully return to theatre as a qualified nurse. I feel that I have become the best support worker I could possibly be, so wanted a new challenge to become a nurse.
If you are interested in becoming a Health Care Support Worker in Swansea Bay University Health Board, please email SBU.ResourcingTeam@wales.nhs.uk
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