The ‘pre-start’ visit, and the risk assessment had been completed, and the day had arrived to resume the Wormwood Scrubs prison Stop Smoking clinics. It somehow seemed strangely appropriate (and rather ironic), that with lock down measures partially lifted, the prison should be the first TT clinic to re-open.
It felt like the first day in a new job,and there was certainly a little anxiety mixed in with all the enthusiasm and excitement of starting back. My over-riding concern was whether all the Covid measures had been put in place, as I had been promised.
On entry to the main gate I was relieved to see the officer armed with temperature checking ‘gun’, and distancing being fully observed between the handful of clients at the gate. After recording a reading of 36.1, I was invited to collect my pass from the officer behind the perspex, then to venture into the reception area where I passed the Covid questions with flying colours, and was finally given the all clear to collect my pre-sanitised set of keys.
Getting to ‘E Wing’ means passing through at least 10 sets of metal doors, and so sanitising stations were dotted around at various points en-route, and ‘keep left in the corridor’ signs were being strictly observed, even though there were a lot less personnel than pre-Covid.
On arrival at my clinic room I washed my hands, started my cleaning schedule, arranged my room appropriately and checked that my NRT supply had been sent down to the wing from pharmacy, as agreed.
Turning the computer on, I noticed all the passwords had been changed (annoying as it was something I had overlooked to check). I rang the admin block and luckily was soon logged on!
I only had a handful of prison clients on my appointments schedule (as requested for my first day back). I rang down to the ‘officers landing’ to inform them that I was ready to have my clients released for their appointment slots, and then readied myself in the PPE provided (gloves, mask and apron).Each prisoner was brought down by the officer who ensured they collected a mask and wore it in the correct manner. Strict protocols are in place for any prisoner not conforming, but I have to say that everyone was very well behaved (possibly the first time some of them could say that) and they all abided by the rules (after all, inmates do not want to contract Covid either).
I am very used to wearing PPE in a hospital setting, but this felt very strange, and we were all mindful that things were not normal. However, the clinic was relatively normal, and it felt oddly comforting to be back in clinic. Apart from the obvious strangeness of the situation, the full cleaning regime, the adornment of PPE,and the collection of client info for track and trace measures, I had missed the ‘banter’ with the prisoners, (although I hadn’t even realised that until now). Both staff and prisoners were incredibly kind to me, and all said they were glad to see me back. Apparently they had actually missed me (I know, I couldn’t quite believe it either).
Let’s see how it goes, but for now we are back in clinic, managing the obstacles and getting back to a state of normality. I wish you all good luck with your own ‘returns’ whenever these are likely to be. My main piece of advice would be to spend plenty of time planning everything meticulously with clinic managers prior to restarting, and then I am sure all with be well.
