Award for dental nurse pressed into coronavirus care

A dental nurse from Audenshaw who was pressed into action as a Coronavirus care assistant has been honoured by her local MP.

Vicky Lambert answered the call of duty once the dental hospital she worked at stopped taking patients.

She and her colleagues moved over to Manchester Royal Infirmary to assist the nurses there with caring for patients.

Their duties included helping with the washing and talking to patients who hadn’t been able to have any visitors.

However, Vicky’s time at the hospital was cut short when she contracted the virus herself, taking it home to her family.

Vicky was put forward for the award by her niece, but said she would only accept it if all of her colleagues she worked with were recognised as well.

She explained: “All the staff at the dental hospital that were redeployed, they deserve the award.

“The dental nurses and the lab technicians, everyone does an amazing job, they all deserve an award.”

Vicky said it was a difficult change, but one she would do again in a heartbeat.

“It was a bit stressful” she said. “Upsetting, every emotion really. Going from looking after teeth the people that were dying was quite a challenge.

“It wasn’t a nursing role we were more like support workers.

“I’m glad I did it, I thought there’s no way I’m going that but someone has to do it.”

She was presented with her award by her local MP Andrew Gwynne who said: “It was an absolute pleasure to present Vicky with my latest Citizen’s Award. Her commitment to caring for those affected during the pandemic - both in hospital and in the local community around Roker Park in Audenshaw - was inspiring.  

“She feels she didn’t do anything out of the ordinary and was just being a good nurse, neighbour and friend... but that’s exactly why she so deserves to be recognised with a Citizen’s Award. Well done and thank you Vicky.”