Burns nurse Lucy chosen to help victims of the New Zealand volcanic eruption

Lucy Hall, deputy matron of the burns unit at Queen Victoria Hospital (QVH), has flown out for a month to help her fellow nurses in New Zealand who continue to treat patients severely injured in the volcanic eruption.

Back in December New Zealand’s White Island volcano erupted, killing 18 people. It also left a number of people with burns to 90-95 per cent of their body and an estimated 27 people with burns to more than 30 per cent of their body.

Nurses in New Zealand have been working around the clock to continue to treat the most severely injured and now the country’s Government has requested international support from burns nurses to fly over and assist.

Lucy who has worked as a specialist burns nurse since June 2016 discovered she was chosen to go to Auckland to help the nursing team at the National Burns Centre at Middlemore Hospital, after QVH received a call. She said: “I’m a nurse first and foremost and want to be there to help and make a difference. When the request came through for burns nurses to travel out I was intrigued to know how they were working with their patients – as a small island there are definitely similarities to the UK. The nurses have been working flat out with their patients so much of my role will be to support them and hopefully help relieve some of the pressure.

“Although the cause of their burns from volcanic ash is different from what we treat at the Queen Victoria Hospital, I know from the experience I have gained here that I have the skills and confidence to help make a difference. I think there is a lot that I can learn and bring back to my team to benefit our patients and practice.”

Jo Thomas, Director of Nursing and Quality at Queen Victoria Hospital, said: “We’re delighted that Lucy has been chosen as one of only four nurses from the UK to support our colleagues in New Zealand. As a specialist burns unit our expertise is often called upon to help respond to emergencies in the UK so this will be a fantastic opportunity for Lucy to use her skills to really make a difference. Whilst she is away our tight-knit burns team will continue to ensure that our patients receive the highest level of care.”

Travel costs, accommodation, meals and travel insurance will be paid for by the Counties Manakau District Health Board.

Pictured: Lucy Hall at the Queen Victoria Hospital preparing for her trip to New Zealand

For more information please contact the QVH Press Office on 01342 414508.