Dean leading LSBU's response to coronavirus pandemic
Professor Warren Turner has been very busy co-ordinating the University’s response to the crisis and its efforts to step up and support the NHSEver since the COVID-19 pandemic reached the UK in March this year, Professor Warren Turner, LSBU’s Dean of Health and Social Care, has been very busy co-ordinating the University’s response to the crisis and its efforts to step up and support the NHS, while keeping LSBU’s Health and Social Care students and their patients safe.
In his role as Chair of the London Deans of Health Group, Warren has also been helping to co-ordinate a universities’ wide response to the crisis by attending regular meetings with colleagues at the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and Department of Health (DH) plus regular meetings with Deans from other London universities. This has enabled the publication of a common set of principles and guidelines which have been applied across London to support the contributions made by universities, academics and students to meet the needs of the NHS at this time.
LSBU currently has around 3,500 nursing, allied health and social work students enrolled. The majority of these students are continuing to attend their NHS placements and are ‘stepping up’ to meet the needs of the NHS throughout the crisis.
Many of LSBU’s nursing students are currently engaged in clinical placements at Central London hospitals including Guy’s and St Thomas’, Kings College Hospital, Barts Health, University College Hospital (UCLH), Barking, Havering & Redbridge University Hospitals and Great Ormond Street Hospital.
It is a requirement that all LSBU Health and Social Care students are expected to take up a practical placement as part of their degree, meaning that many of them will now find themselves working on the NHS front line making vital contributions to the provision of care for patients suffering from critical conditions, including those fighting symptoms of the COVID-19 virus.
Professor Warren Turner says: “I am very proud of our students - both present and former – many of whom now find themselves on the front line, helping the NHS to fight this pandemic.
“Whether they are studying adult nursing, midwifery, learning disabilities, children’s nursing, social work, mental health or in the allied health professions, I expect all of our students to be profoundly affected by the impact of this virus and to take away something valuable from the experience that will enable them to grow personally and professionally.
“At the same time, I recognise that this is a particularly daunting and challenging time for our students. In order to ensure they are fully supported, I have asked LSBU’s Student Services to create a package of bespoke support, as an enhanced offer for our Health and Social Care students. This includes priority access to emotional support via our Student Wellbeing Team, an increased range of resources available 24/7 that fits around student shift patterns, plus additional advice and guidance on how best to look after themselves and switch off when away from work.
“LSBU has also put together a COVID-19 Emergency Hardship Fund that our students can access to assist them with any financial difficulties they face at this difficult time.”