Staff profile - Meet the Sydney LHD Flying Squad

Jennifer Thorncraft and Natalie Shiel have led Sydney Local Health District’s COVID-19 testing response.

In non-pandemic times, what is your role in NSW Health? What does that involve?

Jennifer: I’m the Nursing and Midwifery Workforce Manager for Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) and look after recruitment, career development, and workforce planning and support.

What are you doing now as part of the COVID-19 response?

Natalie: In February when the pandemic began, our District provided screening and testing in the community in response to outbreaks. The response started out small, but has grown into what we now call the SLHD Flying Squad. Jennifer takes on the workforce component and I do the clinical.

We have provided community screening and set-up pop-up clinics at residential aged care premises, the airport, and various other locations.

Pop-up clinics are important for ensuring we capture areas of the community that may not have high testing rates. We find a suitable location and make sure the community are provided with an opportunity to be tested.

Have you been involved in anything like this before?

Jennifer and Natalie: No nothing like this before.

What’s your biggest learning to date?

Natalie: Communicating widely and collaborating with partner agencies is key. Being flexible as a workforce and stepping in quickly has been really important and it’s been done really well.

Jennifer: I’m finding this work really interesting and exciting to be part of. It’s been great to be able to support my colleagues and community through this pandemic.

You have good insights into what’s happening with the pandemic. What do you tell family and friends when they ask

Jennifer: The pandemic isn’t over yet so don’t get complacent. Don’t forget about physical distancing, don’t go out if you don’t need to. It’s a long journey ahead.

What’s your message to colleagues across the system?

Natalie: You have to just roll with it. Things change quickly and you may not get things perfect on the first time so be prepared to make changes as you go.

Jennifer: Look after each other. Don’t burn out too quickly. Have some days off when you can and have a rest. Try to keep some normality in your routine – I like to go and get my regular coffee at morning tea time.

I appreciate this will be a pretty intense time right now at work – how do you unwind if you get a spare moment?

Natalie: I have been renovating my house now and am looking forward to going camping once things starting opening up again.

Jennifer: I like to see my friends, spend time with my partner and family, and I try to keep up exercise which is challenging.​​​​​​​​