I’ve now had two abortive attempts to interview staff on the gynaecology ward. I’d booked in two dates this week, two half hour sessions when I could catch people during handover. But yesterday my visit clashed with the ward meeting. I sat in on that, and it was very interesting to find out more of the practical details of running the ward, but it took the whole half hour and then staff were back to work.
I discovered from the meeting, that the ward is very understaffed due to sickness and maternity leave. It’s got so serious that senior managers are being drafted in to work on the ward! So that’s one reason it is hard to catch people.
Today I turned up and the ward co-ordinator told me she couldn’t spare anyone because of staff training and a some complicated clinical issues. So I haven’t got any further. I’m going to try one more time, and have booked another half hour in 3 weeks time when the extra staff should be in place. Otherwise I might have to rethink.
It occurs to me that I might have to abort the idea of interviewing people off the ward, and do the ‘interviews’ while I shadow staff. It is proving impossible to get dedicated one to one time.
On a brighter note, the three of us Artists in Residence at Lime got together yesterday for the first time. We all shared a bit about ourselves and then talked about how we are approaching the residency.
James Bloomfield is an established painter, and has begun to explore conceptual art. He is planning to do a series of paintings for the hospital, and is also using the residency to work on a project about the Afghan war.
Nicola Colclough has been working in community arts for a number of years, and wants to use her residency to develop her skills in this area. She is starting by getting a feel for the hospital environment and will be shadowing staff in the therapeutic play unit.
They were really supportive about the problems I’ve been having with the Gynaecology project, and James reminded me that I mustn’t get caught up with other people’s expectations, but am allowed to work at my own pace. Thank you James!
