In this week's 'A Conversation With...' we talk to our Senior Nurse, Mrs Kate Carberry-Long who along with Mrs Morais runs the College's Medical Wing. When Mrs Carberry-Long joined in January 2020, she not only had to deal with day-to-day sickness and injuries from the rugby pitch, but a global pandemic!
What is your role and how long have you been at Shiplake?
I am the Senior Nurse in the Medical Wing at Shiplake and started working here in January 2020 shortly before the Covid pandemic began, which was an unexpected start to my new role.
Where were you previously?
Before coming to work at Shiplake, I was the School Nursing Sister at Westminster School in London for 12 years. I came from a practice nurse background having worked in busy London GP practice before I went to Westminster School.
What does a typical day look like in the Med Wing?
It's hard to define a typical day as you never know who will present at the Med Wing, it can be anything from a paper cut to having to call 999 for an emergency. There is certainly a trend of injuries on sports days particularly during rugby season! There is never a dull moment here. It is lovely to have the chance to see the pupils come back to see us when they are feeling better.
How does working in a school differ to working in a clinical setting?
In some ways not at all as I work in a clinical environment in the Med Wing and I use my professional skills every day. Our boarders are registered with the school GP, so we can offer our boarding pupils blood tests, health checks and other clinical support that you would expect from your GP. Our patient age range is also much younger than an average GP practice. Lesson bells are a novelty here as well, at my previous school there were no school bells but Big Ben could be heard.
What has been the biggest challenge for you during the pandemic?
I had been expecting a pandemic at some point in my working career, as there is normally one about every 100 years and the last one was from 1918-1920, but I had thought it would probably be a new Influenza strain. I had been prepared for potential pandemics in the past (Swine Flu) so I was aware of clinical precautions that would need to be put into place rapidly - e.g. masks, PPE and isolation. I also had a pandemic protocol ready. I think that the biggest challenge of the pandemic was working with a new unknown virus and having no idea how quickly the outbreak would progress and the impact it would have on the world. I remember feeling sad when pupils cheered as the announcement was made for schools to close - I felt very strongly that this was not going to be for a short time and I immediately started to worry about how it would affect the pupils schooling, well being and future.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
The pandemic made me realise how important it is to keep in contact with family and friends and to see them. It also reminded me not just to think about doing things but go out and see that exhibition, play, gig or concert, so now I take every opportunity offered to me and do not put it off. I also sing and have started to play the piano (very badly) again. Walking, gardening, reading and an addiction to emergency medical documentaries also take up my spare time. I am also a school governor at another school which I enjoy.
What does the future hold for Mrs Carberry-Long?
I am looking forward to the younger girls starting in 2023 and the challenges that will bring. I propose to develop the care that we offer to be able to include active health education to help the pupils prepare for life beyond school. I am also really looking forward to when the Med Wing staff can finally stop wearing masks when we see our patients so they can see us smiling at them when they arrive.
