Nurses in Fareham receive donated lunches after being spoken to ‘like dirt’ while shopping in uniform

The leader of 30 nurses, based in the health centre, in Osborn Road, has spoken out after several members of the public criticed the nurses for shopping for food in their lunch breaks while wearing their uniforms.

Public Health England advises that nurses change into and out of their uniforms at work – but this does not apply to community staff who wear their uniform while travelling between patients.

Community matron Sharon Stephenson took to Facebook to speak out against her staff being spoken to ‘like dirt’ and told The News her team faced ‘horrible comments’ when seen shopping in their uniforms.

She said: ‘When we go into shops, it’s frowned upon.

‘You’re busy, you forget to bring lunch, and you don’t have time to change out of your uniform when we’re going into shops.

‘We have had a horrible comments from people not understanding.

‘There have been comments on Facebook, with people saying we are shopping in our uniforms when we shouldn’t be.’

Comments have also criticised staff for breaking the recommended two metre distance social distancing guidance – which can make it difficult for team members to properly discuss patient case, according to the team leader.

She said: ‘We have had other comments about us not sticking to the two metre rule. But we have to get close to discuss patients without shouting their details.’

The team had sufficient PPE to ensure their safety during visits, according to Sharon, but it was ‘impossible’ to change from their uniforms in order to grab food during the day.

She said: ‘It’s impossible to do, with the way our day works – and we don’t have the facilities in the community.

‘I can see the public’s point of view, but it’s a much worse situation for us.’

The matron said there needs to be a greater appreciate for the difficult position community nurses find themselves in.

She added: ‘I’d say – if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.’

But one member of the community has rallied to their support, by preparing and delivering home-cooked meals for the team to enjoy on their lunch breaks.

Natalie Jutla, who lives in Kenwood Road, prepared fresh chilli and other lunches for the team yesterday, and plans to deliver meals every other day, with a GoFundMe page raising £400 to support her efforts.

She said: ‘I saw a Facebook post saying the nurses didn’t have time to grab lunch, and I love cooking, so I got in contact.

‘When I delivered the food, the nurses faces lit up like they had won the lottery.’

Tesco, in North Harbour, also gave Natalie 30 Easter eggs to donate to the team.

Speaking about Natalie’s efforts, Sharon added: ‘It’s really wonderful – it’s really put a smile on the girls’ faces.’

Natalie is hoping to also support community nurses in Gosport.

Donations can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/feed-our-local-community-nurses-and-carers

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