Fife's unsung heroes: Zara Anderson
Fife has many unsung heroes who have gone the extra mile to help others during the coronavirus lockdown. They are working hard behind the scenes to make sure that our buses still run, our prescriptions dispensed, and our services all keep ticking over. They deserve their moment in the spotlight as part of our Big Thank You.
Zara Anderson has been working on the frontline as a domestic supervisor across hospitals in Fife.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdShe said: “I used to work as a beauty therapist but I left the salon that I worked in as I fancied a job in the care sector. I have been with the NHS for five years now.
“In my role as a domestic supervisor I am responsible for managing a team of domestics who maintain the cleanliness of various hospitals and clinics in Fife - basically I make sure everyone is where they need to be.
“When I first started at Victoria Hospital I was part of the scrub phone team, which is essentially on call to deal with any blood spills, infected rooms or anything of that nature. I loved working on that team as I have really high standards and I’m very pernickety about doing a good job.”
Zara, who lives in Kirkcaldy was working at the Vic when the coronavirus pandemic hit Fife.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdShe said: “Over the Christmas period I was covering for someone on sick leave in the intensive care unit. That was when I started to see big changes in the wards. We knew the coronavirus was coming. We were just waiting for it. The atmosphere in the hospital changed.
“When it hit it was really strange. Anyone who came into the hospital was treated as if they had the virus – it was all very surreal.
“At the time I wasn’t scared but I was a little bit anxious about it all, having to go into work with custom fitted masks and visors. Because I was part of the scrub phone team, and already issued with the correct PPE I was one of the first people to go into infected areas.
“I have felt safer in ICU than I have in the supermarket. Everyone who works in there is a professional and knows exactly what they were doing.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“It was such a shame to see the people who were suffering. There were so many doctors and nurses around them so it was lovely to see people recover – It was very emotional, I cried a few times.
“There is no pattern to who gets the coronavirus it is not just old people, young people can get it as well. People need to listen to what the government is saying and not rush the lockdown. What’s a few more weeks? You might not have a few weeks if you contract coronavirus.”
» To nominate someone for our Big Thank You please email [email protected]
While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspapers; the Fife Free Press, Fife Herald, St Andrews Citizen, East Fife Mail and Glenrothes Gazette.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdInevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty.
The support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with your community during this time. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.
Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes - from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this, and your continued support of our newspapers across Fife will help to protect their viability in the days and weeks ahead.
For more details on our subscription offers please visit email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004
Thank you
Allan Crow, Editor, Fife Free Press