#12DaysofHiddenHeroes: Anita Pun Magar
In the lead up to Christmas, we're shining a light on #12DaysofHiddenHeroes.
On the ninth day of the festive season, we meet Anita Pun Magar, a laboratory technician at The Royal London Hospital.
Anita Pun Magar is an associate practitioner working in the point of care testing (POCT) section of the clinical biochemistry department at The Royal London Hospital.
Anita gave us some insight to her role, she said: “POCT devices are used to carry out vitro testing on patients at the hospital, this gives immediate access to pathology results that can be quickly acted upon.
“My day to day role involves the maintenance of POCT devices in clinical locations, these include blood gas analysers, urine pregnancy testing, placental growth factor and much more! My most challenging role within the POCT Team has been to verify the new model blood gas analysers in the upgrade replacement programme, these were vital medical devices during the pandemic.”
When the public consider hospitals they mostly think about doctors and nurses. They are not aware of the huge team of support services working in the background to help deliver the best patient care and successful outcomes.
Anita said: “Working in the Queen Elizabeth Unit to maintain the blood gas analysers during the pandemic gave me the platform to showcase that pathology is involved in 80% of all clinical decisions and I am proud to be a part of a team who play a vital role in the fight Covid-19.”
When The Royal London Hospital opened The Queen Elizabeth Unit, they urgently required blood gas analysers. Due to the overwhelming workload that ICU staff were facing, the POCT team stepped in to support the ICU technician team and took over the responsibility of maintaining 12 blood gas analysers, numerous glucose meters and ketone meters.
“I was required to spend a considerable amount of time working inside the Covid-19 wards alongside the other frontline staff clinical staff”, Anita said.
“POCT is not considered a patient facing service, so I was completely out of my comfort zone. My laboratory coat was substituted for full PPE and my new responsibility came with immense risk, but I was more than happy to do so.
“I was committed to the cause and stood up to my new role, knowing my work would have a direct positive impact on patient care. In keeping with our Trust’s WeCare values, I believed in delivering exceptional service with patient care at heart.“
Like many NHS workers, Anita will be foregoing family time this Christmas to help cover the service. She said: “I am one of many who will be covering and working over the festive season to provide a continuous service for patient care.
“After my shift, I will be spending quality time celebrating with my family and friends.”