PILATES trainer Candice Reay is helping to look after coronavirus patients at Macclesfield Hospital after her Knutsford business closed because of the pandemic.

The mother of four worked as a nurse in London for nine years before retraining in pilates.

She opened a Reformer Pilates studio in King Street in 2018, and had just finished a return to nursing course, with the aim of working part-time as a pilates teacher and nurse, when the coronavirus struck.

Candice, whose children are aged five to 13, said: “I’ve been working on the wards for about a month and it’s hard and exhausting, but I’m so glad I can help. Everyone is really supportive and sticking together.

“I’m based on the respiratory ward but also work on the other medical ward and the Covid-19 wards, doing 13-hour shifts.

“Sometimes you are on a Covid-19 ward where everyone has Covid, and sometimes you are on a suspected Covid ward, where people have come in with symptoms but are waiting for their results.

“Some days are very stressful and overwhelming, but most days are OK.

“The workload is intense, you are on your feet all day and it’s exhausting, but the main thing that gets you through is that everyone’s sticking together and the staff are so supportive, friendly and kind, and the patients are really appreciative.

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“Because they can’t have any visitors you go above and beyond, take the time to talk to them and give them that little extra care.

“I am wanting to go to work just to help, and know that the hospital really needs my help because there’s so many staff off sick.

“You have to wear a mask, apron and gloves all day, and keep changing them between patients.

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“When you are on the Covid wards and have a Covid positive patient you have to cover your hair and wear a different kind of mask, goggles or a visor as well.

“One of the greatest joys of the job for me is to help the relatives know that their loved ones are being taken care of.

“I make sure I take time out of my day to speak to relatives on the phone and offer reassurance, and spend time with patients because they can’t have any visitors – just offering them some kindness and company and for them to know they’ve got someone there.”