HOSPITAL staff required to wear protective equipment that covers their faces have been adding photos to their uniforms to put patients at ease.

Staff working on the Acute Respiratory Unit at Worcestershire Royal Hospital felt patients were not feeling comfortable as their PPE obscures their faces entirely.

With this in mind, junior doctor Kishu Pharasi came up with the solution, adding large photos of staff to PPE to bring back the human connection with patients.

He said: "One of the most unexpected, yet challenging parts of Covid-19 for me has been caring for patients while being hidden behind a veil of full PPE.

"Within the first few weeks of the pandemic on the Acute Respiratory Unit, it became clear that not only were we struggling to recognise each other, but our patients couldn’t tell us apart either.

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"By making a large ID photo for every member of staff I feel that we were able to bring back a touch of human connection by emphasising the individual behind every facemask.

"Not only has this helped us build a better relationship with our patients, but it’s also done wonders for staff morale on the ward."

Vicky Morris, chief nursing officer at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "Our staff are doing a magnificent job in working to put patients first through one of the most challenging periods in the history of the NHS.

"At a time when we have had to restrict visiting and also implement strict PPE measures to keep our staff and patients as safe as possible, this idea is invaluable.

"It allows us to build that relationship with our patients and bring back that vital human connection that is so comforting to both patients and staff alike. It means a lot to our staff, patients and of course their families."