A MENTAL health nurse working on the frontline during the pandemic says it was ‘one of the most challenging times’ in her working life.

Clare Hughes, 36, who works for Trafford Primary Care Mental Health and Wellbeing Service, was redeployed to an inpatient ward for two months and has described how difficult it was both for herself, colleagues, families and patients.

Clare said: “I have worked on inpatient wards before but this time it was so different. It is a very challenging environment anyway as there are some very unwell patients on the ward.

“But what was most difficult now was for those patients with psychosis could not understand why they were being moved around the ward as we waited for swab results, for example.

“It is very scary for patients suffering with various mental conditions as wearing personal protective equipment like masks means it is harder for them to understand the body language of the staff on the ward. And with everyone’s emotions heightened and no visitors allowed, it’s even harder.”

Despite the difficulties, Clare said NHS staff still did amazing work at the hospital to help patients.