Former pupils join Covid-19 fight
A selfless former pupil has been living at a regional hospital to lend her support to the fight against coronavirus.
Eli Wyatt, who left Rydal Penrhos in 2015, is currently a medical student at Cardiff University and moved miles away from her family in Monmouthshire to work and live on site at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan.
She currently treating coronavirus and stroke patients and decided to volunteer after a plea for medical students and former NHS staff to provide their expertise during an unprecedented time of crisis.
Speaking to BBC Wales, Eli said: “To be able to help when I know that I’ve got the ability is a big privilege,” she said.
“I’ve always loved being part of a team… so being part of the wider team of the NHS at this point while we’re dealing with this crisis feels kind of empowering.”
Eli added that her family had been apprehensive about her volunteering amid the Covid-19 pandemic, but “knew” she had to.
The experience has brought with it some “demoralising” days treating patients who would not survive, which has been a real learning curve for the ex-pupil.
All final-year medical students will graduate early as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but their placements were optional.
“It’s a really tough thing for people to go through, especially in this environment, because a lot of the time they’re going through it on their own without their families,” added Eli.
Shaswath Ganapathi, who held the position of head boy at the school in 2015/16, is a medical student, and along with Faye Bate, another medical student from Ysgol John Bright school, have set-up a Facebook page designed to offer support and practical help to healthcare workers who need assistance.
He has recruited dozens of volunteers to the scheme, which aids those critical workers employed by the National Health Service will day-to-day things such as childcare and grocery shopping as they work long hours to combat Covid-19.
Shaswath, said: “More health care workers may face last-minute changes to rotas/schedules. Over the next couple of months childcare may become more strained – and thus having a network of support in place will become essential. Medical schools across the country have suspended most placements and are moving to online teaching. This is leaving a lot of us with time on our hands and the ability to help where we can. Most students will be DBS checked and reasonably responsible human beings, many of whom will have babysitting/tutoring experience.
“If you are a healthcare worker who lives or works in Conwy, Denbighshire or Gwynedd and need help with childcare (or even non-human care such as pet walking, feeding etc) please join our group.”
Anyone wishing to join the group, or for more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/498088910873802/.
Isabel Demel, who attended Rydal Penrhos from 2015-17, is a medical student at King’s College London, has been giving up her time to work with hospital staff both in the United Kingdom and in her native country of Germany throughout the Covid-19 crisis.
The 20-year-old is currently volunteering in an intensive care unit at one of Munich’s university hospitals, with universities across the country currently on shutdown due to social distancing measures implemented by the government.
Isabel, said: “King’s College London’s associated trusts are Guys & St Thomas Hospital and Kings College Hospital.
“I have been working first in the UK and am currently volunteering in intensive care in one of Munich’s university hospital as part of the COVID-19 crisis, which has been very tough.
“I hope everyone is well and safe and I can come up for a visit to Rydal Penrhos sometime very soon.”
The former Rydal Penrhos pupil was one of the real success stories from the school’s International Baccalaureate programme, with Isabel ending her academic studies with a phenomenal final mark of 44 out of a possible 45.
She held the position of Prefect during her final year of Sixth Form life and left a huge impact on all areas of the school.
Senior School head Sally-Ann Harding, added: “We are amazed by what Isabel is doing to help against the coronavirus pandemic during what is an incredibly stressful time for emergency services across the globe.
“She was a remarkable young woman during her time at Rydal Penrhos and it is no surprise to see her thriving as a medical student.
“Everyone at the school is enormously proud of her and wish Isabel the very best of luck during the remainder of her volunteering during Covid-19.”
