12 February 2021

CNWL’s Leigh-Ann Harvey can normally be found examining balance sheets as part of her role in the finance team in Milton Keynes.

But when the call came to help out on the frontline to cover for a short period of illness, Leigh-Ann, jumped in as a housekeeper for the Windsor Intermediate Care Unit in Bletchley.

This provides a short-term programme of nursing and therapy for people who need a period of rehabilitation before returning to their home.

Leigh-Ann said: “It was really good to be able to get out of the house for a bit and although I know that we do help the wider NHS within the finance team, we do consider ourselves as a support service and that’s what we believe we do but it was really nice to get out there and to do my bit.

“I usually do the budget for the Home 1st Team, which is closely involved with the WICU, so I already had some relationships with staff there and when they said they needed a housekeeper I was only too happy to help. It also meant I was able to put names to faces as normally I see the staff lists!

“I really enjoyed speaking with the patients, who are mostly older people. It was so nice to be able to have nice conversations with them, while carrying out my role. I really built up some good relationships with them.”

Lorraine Dean, Home 1st Frailty Hub and Staying Steady team Manager (MK) said: “It was lovely having Leigh-Ann with us – even if only for a short while, It was really helpful, particularly on the patient tea round.”