Meet Angela Forrest, a Remote Triage Nurse at DHU Healthcare with nearly four years experience here, Angela's journey began as a nurse in Accident and Emergency, later becoming a sister at Cramlington Emergency Hospital.
We wanted to know more about what Angela does and she told us: "My average day usually starts early in the morning. Often, I'm on the advice line, flagging cases for higher upgrade or specialised care. It takes a lot of experience as an advanced nurse, and you have to know what you're looking for.
"I truly enjoy connecting with people from all walks of life and across different age groups. This is quite different from the challenges I faced in Cramlington Emergency Hospital. My background in Accident and Emergency has equipped me to handle a wide array of medical situations, ranging from injuries to major health crises, including the challenges posed by swine flu and the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Collaborative Environment
Angela's journey has been shaped by resilience, overcoming dyslexia and autism. Her path, marked by self-discovery and adapting to unique learning methods, led her to a fulfilling career in healthcare. Angela told us about her team and their collective dedication being a key part of why she nejoys working for DHU, explaining: "Working remotely comes with its challenges, but I thrive in this collaborative environment by using my coaching skills. I actively contribute as a representative on the DHU staff forum, understanding the significance of representing the remote team and participating in discussions that directly impact our work environment.
“A source of great pride for me lies in my role of providing reflective supervision to my colleagues at 111. This crucial support helps advisors process challenging calls, ensuring that they can consistently offer effective patient support. It's really important for me to help colleagues to re-build their confidence when they have taken these challenging calls. Often that can involve explaining to colleagues that it isn't personal or directly aimed at them, it is a difficult time for patients and they may express something over the phone that they might not say face-to-face.”
Adaptability and Commitment
Thinking ahead, Angela sees her role growing while staying within its current framework. Balancing various responsibilities, including being a triage clinician, coach, and forum representative, Angela appreciates the diversity and challenges that each of these roles brings.
Throughout her distinguished career, Angela has faced a number of challenges, both personal and professional, head on and overcome them whilst helping and inspiring colleagues. Her diverse roles, from triage clinician to forum representative, showcase her adaptability and commitment to making a difference in the healthcare landscape.
Angela's story is not just about navigating the complexities of the medical field; it's a journey of self-discovery, resilience and making a positive impact on the lives of those she serves and cares for.