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Apr 2020

Coronavirus

Former Ripon Grammar School student puts university on hold to volunteer to join NHS frontline

Published: 22 Apr 2020, 12:43 BST

Updated: 22 Apr 2020, 15:10 BST

by Tim Flanagan

Ella Borchard, will be putting the professional skills she has been taught at Sheffield Hallam University into practice in the fight against coronavirus at Harrogate Hospital

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Former Ripon Grammar School student Ella Borchard (pictured above) has volunteered to join the NHS front line at Harrogate Hospital in its battle so save the lives of people stricken by coronavirus.

The 21-year-old, who is a nursing student at Sheffield Hallam University, is well-equipped to care for COVID-19 patients as she has received extensive training in the oxygen therapy, mental wellbeing and use of PPE.

Academics at the university have provided online lectures and training sessions about end of life care and COVID-19 policies and procedures, including simulations with mannequins.

Ella, who will be working under supervision from the nursing staff on the Wensleydale Ward at Harrogate Hospital, took up her place at Sheffield Hallam after studying biology, chemistry and Spanish at Ripon Grammar.

Looking forward to using her caring skills in a real-life situation, she said:

"Every day will bring so many issues to overcome, but it will give me lots of experience of nursing in an unusual situation, while having a defined support network. I do feel very excited to be a part of history."

At university, the nursing students prepared for situations they might find themselves in and discussed how to look after themselves.

Ella pointed out:

"The training gives us some of the skills and information we need to tackle something like this, but I have spent nearly three years preparing for my future career as a nurse and working during the pandemic is only part of what I have trained to do. Further down the line I would like to take my master's degree in advances nursing so that I can manage patients' complete clinical care, from diagnosis to care planning and discharge."

An enthusiastic supporter of Ripon Youth Theatre Ella, like her mother Jo, is a member of Ripon Amateur Operatic Society, taking part in many performances.

Mrs Borchard, a primary school teacher and herself a former student of Ripon Grammar School, told the Stray Ferret:

"I am so proud of Ella, she is wonderful, caring daughter, with lots of energy, drive, focus and attention to detail.

"Whatever she does, she strives to do it to the best of her ability - whether dancing in an operatic society show, or putting her professional skills into practice at the height of this world pandemic crisis."