Rugby Football Union staff support the NHS
Dr Katy Hornby, Red Roses team doctor and Dr Steffan Griffin, sports medicine fellow use their skills in A&E during crisis.
Two of the Rugby Football Union’s medical team – Dr Katy Hornby, England Women’s senior team doctor and Steffan Griffin, sports medicine training fellow – are focussing their time and efforts to support on the NHS frontline in A&E.
Dr Katy Hornby decided to return to the NHS to help during the pandemic and is working in the emergency department at Charing Cross Hospital, a role she is able to fulfil part-time while still being an RFU employee.
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She said: “The RFU medical team has been very supportive of my request to go back and help the NHS in these very difficult circumstances. I’ve worked at Charing Cross previously and there are still personnel there I worked with before. Everyone has been really friendly and welcoming. The key to managing this type of work has always been strong teamwork and this crisis has really emphasised this.
“In addition, the unity of purpose and determination to overcome the challenges Covid-19 presents has been outstanding. This relates closely to what we aspire to in rugby.
‘’This situation is not something any of us expected to be faced with and I hope it’s not something we have to see again. You certainly see the very best in people, and it is really inspiring that people who aren’t necessarily connected to anyone working in the NHS are still going above and beyond to help others. The various contributions of the rugby community illustrate this so clearly from simple personal gestures to helping neighbours to using our facilities to support the NHS.
“The Thursday evening ‘#ClapForCarers’ and 99-year-old army veteran Captain Tom Moore, who has walked 100 laps of his garden to raise millions of pounds, really makes you feel proud of the role that you do. These gestures make you feel that even though you’re putting your life at risk going to work, it’s worth it.
“Getting through this pandemic and the repercussions for health care on the other side, while keeping as much of the population as possible fit and healthy will take some time.”
Dr Steffan Griffin, who works for the RFU part-time as a sports medicine training fellow, has increased his hours at St. Mary’s Hospital in Paddington to around forty hours a week, while still working for the RFU and completing a PhD.
“It became clear in February that there was a need for more help in A&E and, as I had continued to work there following my post graduate training, I was only too happy to increase my hours and support the fantastic team there.
“Throughout the pandemic we’ve seen communities come together, including the rugby community, whether that’s through building test centres, players talking to vulnerable fans over the phone or club’s catering teams delivering meals to NHS staff, and it’s been lovely to witness. I also work with the academy and A League sides at London Irish and they’ve been sending the A&E team loads of food, as have many other local businesses, which is so appreciated during long shifts.
“I’ve learned a lot during the last few weeks but some of the main things I’ve taken from this situation is the importance of taking things day by day; the importance of daily exercise; and appreciating all the simple things in life. I’m also really lucky to have lots of support from friends, family and all the people I work with in hospital and the rugby world.
“Working at rugby matches helps you to be prepared for anything and I’ve carried that into my work with the NHS.”
“My message to everyone around the country is to say thanks for staying home, and for supporting the NHS in particular. Everyone working in the NHS has been unbelievably appreciative of the public’s support for government measures. Please keep it up for a bit longer and we’ll get through this.”
In addition to Katy and Steffan’s incredible work, many other RFU staff are also supporting the NHS though its volunteer programme either with calls to elderly and vulnerable people, delivery of medicine, food shopping, volunteering at NHS Nightingale, organising weekly moral boosting quizzes, encouraging daily exercise and just keeping people smiling.
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England Women Sevens captain Abbie Brown is signed up as a community response volunteer while Red Roses back Lydia Thompson, a qualified occupational therapist, has contacted the NHS about returning during the outbreak.
Twickenham Stadium became one of the latest COVID-19 drive-through test sites this week, in a rapidly expanding network of testing sites being set up around the UK, and the RFU is grateful for the opportunity to support key workers during this severe national crisis with its site and staff to support operationally.
In addition to the testing facility Twickenham is providing a base for London Ambulance Service to use as crews change shifts.
