Such volunteers are now being singled out as the unsung heroes of Ireland’s pandemic response.
“Last March, when everyone realised the scale of the pandemic, I volunteered to help out at the emergency department at CUH,” Amy said.
After thinking she would be there as a support volunteer for just two days a week over less than a month, Amy ended up staying for six months.
While hugely demanding, she said it was an incredible experience.
“It convinced me that emergency medicine is where I would eventually like to work,” she said. Amy paid tribute to Professor Conor Deasy and the emergency department team at CUH for the incredible work they did throughout the pandemic and for helping the volunteers settle in and feel part of the team.