A Day in the Life of a Porter: Obafisayo Fetuga
Obafisayo’s story is a powerful reminder that every role at our Trust matters. His dedication, professionalism, and compassion make a real difference in the lives of patients and staff alike.
At our Trust, everyone plays a vital part in delivering high-quality mental health care. Our porters work extremely hard behind the scenes to ensure everything is running smoothly. We spoke with Obafisayo Fetuga, who has been working as a porter at the Trust for the past three months, to learn more about his day-to-day experience and the impact of his role.
Starting the Day
Obafisayo begins his shift bright and early at 7am. His day kicks off with distributing keys, access cards, and phones to both clinical and non-clinical staff. From there, his responsibilities span a wide range of essential tasks: managing clinical waste, handling laundry, responding to Planet FM requests, and completing pharmacy runs twice a day. He also monitors CCTV, responds to alarms, and takes out-of-hours calls—ensuring the hospital runs smoothly and safely.
Supporting Patient Care
Though not in a clinical role, Obafisayo’s work directly supports patient care. “By responding to pharmacy requests and completing tasks for clinical staff in a professional and proactive way, I help the team deliver better care,” he explains. He covers the entire site, including all wards—acute, PICU, and forensic—ensuring no area is left unsupported.
The atmosphere during day shifts is calm and professional, but Obafisayo notes that night shifts tend to be more static. Regardless of the time, safety is a top priority. He’s trained in de-escalation techniques and regularly attends toolbox talks and team meetings to stay prepared for any situation.
While much of his work is behind the scenes, Obafisayo does interact with patients when needed. “I stay calm, listen, and ask open-ended questions,” he says, describing how he handles situations where patients may be distressed.
Obafisayo works closely with both clinical and non-clinical staff, maintaining communication via Ascom phones and face-to-face interactions. Handovers between shifts are handled with care, ensuring continuity and safety.
Obafisayo stays motivated through teamwork and mutual support. “The appreciation after completing each task gives me the most satisfaction,” he shares.
Looking Ahead
If there’s one thing he’d improve, it’s having more resources to help operations run even more efficiently. His advice to new porters?
Be caring and patient with the patients and be a team player. The staff here are more like a family.
