Working Life: We get a lot of calls when the pollen count is high

Ruth Morrow, respiratory nurse specialist, Asthma Society of Ireland

Ruth Morrow, Respiratory Nurse Specialist, with the Asthma Society. Ger Rogers Photo

8am

I’m not exactly up at cock crow. Before breakfast, I sort out my two hens, Sugar and Spice. I let the dog Bella out into the garden for a stretch.

9am

My office is at home in Co Leitrim, where I work remotely. I’m a respiratory nurse specialist with the Asthma Society and most of what I do is linked to our patient services. One of those is a WhatsApp messaging service, which patients use to ask questions. I send information to them on various topics via WhatsApp, such as how to use inhalers or manage their asthma.

This time of year, when the pollen count is particularly high, a lot of questions relate to hay fever. We have a number of materials on how to manage it, which I send to patients or which they can download from our website, www.asthma.ie. We recently held a free webinar on hay fever and asthma, which people could register for on our website. We run a webinar every six weeks.

10am

This morning, I am taking part in a radio interview for Asthma Awareness Week. Regional radio stations are great for promoting our various campaigns.

Noon

Our clinical audit and risk committee, of which I am a member, meets via Zoom to run through our audit procedures and to examine any risks that could affect patient services.

Our other free patient service is the Adviceline, where patients can call and book a consultation with one of our nurses. The nurse will call back at a suitable time.

1pm

Break for lunch. I take Bella for a short walk.

2pm

The afternoon is spent researching and writing articles on various aspects of asthma care for medical, nursing or pharmacy journals or preparing presentations for schools and workplaces.

5.30pm

At the end of a busy week, Bella and I head out for a walk, continuing our two-mile-a-day habit. We developed this habit during April as part of a Stand Up To Cancer campaign. It’s a UK charity, but my son works with them, so we signed up.

7pm

After dinner, it’s catch-up time in the garden, visit my granddaughter and then onto my favourite hobby – crochet.