This is a Christmas Eve in the covid intensive care unit at Kungälv Hospital

It is Christmas Eve in the intensive care unit at Kungälv Hospital. Nurse Emma Jansson has a yellow sign with the letters PPA on her shirt. This means that she is responsible for the site and the patient. She has been working with her morning team since 06.45. But Christmas Eve or the pandemic doesn’t matter. For her and her colleagues, it is a normal work day.

– We don’t like the word heroes. This is our job, which we do every day. I think this pandemic has reflected society a lot. It’s more the me and not the team. We have chosen this profession because we want to help people.

The regular VAT department, which in the Kungälv Hospital is called the “square”, it is completely occupied. Four patients. Hoses, beeping devices, and constantly moving personnel in soft shoes. A lot of work is needed to care for seriously ill patients.

The intensive care unit for covid patients is also fully booked, but the hallway next to it is empty, equipped with respirators and what is needed to rapidly expand the business. There is a provision for more than double the number of patients. Staff see the signs in the community and mentally prepare for the number of patients to increase again.

Nurse’s assistant Marita Karling is deeply weary of the crown, of all the energy it requires, all the staff it consumes, all the resources. This summer, there were ten patients consistently and you don’t want it to start over. She doesn’t see working on Christmas Eve as a burden.

– The best thing about work is work. It is varied, important and fun. You have as much responsibility as a nursing assistant in VAT. It is strange, however, that we are so appreciated now, which we have been working for for forty years. And the heroes? You do your job and you want to do your best.

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