SN teams on the front-line to support COVID-19 Community Testing

The School responded to the appeal of the Government and organised selected nursing teams to support the Universal Community Testing Programme for COVID-19, launched in September.

Our teams, which comprised 135 members, including our staff members, alumni and senior years nursing students, served in four community test centres at Tai Wo Hau, Lai King, North Point and Quarry Bay.

The teams were led and coordinated by Prof. Alice Yuen Loke, together with Dr Simon Lam, Dr Sukki Ho, Dr Sunshine Chan, and our alumnus, Dr Michael Ho (Academic Secretary of the Alumni Association of Nursing Studies), with all-round secretary support from Ms Renee Leung and IT service support from Mr Ego Ho.

To enhance the preparedness and safety of our nursing teams, 12 half-day workshops were offered the week before the launch of the Community Testing Programme to refresh the knowledge of infection control, personal protective equipment (PPE) [donning and doffing of gown, mask, and face shield], and skill in taking a combined nasal and throat swab. Respirator fit tests were performed on all participants to ensure that they had proper protection against the new virus.

Dr Michael Ho, our alumnus, sees his participation as the responsibility of a healthcare professional to provide best possible care and services. “This programme gave me an opportunity to contribute to our community through devoting my clinical experience, management skills at quarantine centers, and what I had learnt from PolyU.” Said Dr Ho. Mr Timothy Lai, Clinical Associate of the School, considers it a unique experience of providing service for public health during the pandemic. “I will share this experience in teaching.” Said Mr Lai.

The service demand was high but our teams were prepared to face the challenges with good team spirit and professionalism. “Many community residents were afraid and nervous before the test. I used my communication skills to let them know that we were fully trained to collect specimens for the test and the procedure was fast and simple.” Said Lok-Yi Chan, our nursing student who supported the testing programme. “I met a resident who was irritated when she approached me. I was panic as she kept shouting at me, but I told myself that I had to calm down. At the end, the resident cooperated with me and I completed my task. I received appreciation from my team leader. This event gave me confidence to face challenges as a nurse in the future”

To show support for the work of our teams, Prof. David Shum, Chair Professor of Neuropsychology, Dean of Faculty of Health and Social Sciences (FHSS), and Prof. Loke (Acting-head of the School), visited the testing centre at Java Road, North Point, on 4 September. Prof. Shum had his test taken during the visit. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, visited the Java Road Testing Centre on 7 September and Prof. Sophia Chan, Secretary for Food and Health, Food and Health Bureau, visited the testing centre in North Point Government Primary School on 12 September to give encouragements to our teams.

Two undergraduate nursing students, who provided support to the Community Testing Programme, were invited by the Government to engage in producing a video to urge the public to join the programme. Click here to watch the video.