You are a health professional working with a busy community team, covering a 24 hour service to patients.
The team is experiencing a very busy Saturday, with 4 new acute cases to assess and high dependancy caseloads. You are on an early shift, and the team is struggling with skeleton staff, due to high sickness levels. Although it has been a very busy day, with no break, you are looking forward to attending your best friend's son's birthday party the same afternoon, after you finish your shift. Your friend's son, Jack, is best friends also with your 6 yr old son, Ben.
I hour before the start of the late shift, a health professional, who is due to work the next shift, rings in sick, saying she has started vomiting.
The professional in charge informs the team manager on call who clearly states that there is no other help available to cover this sickness, and insists that you stay on to do a 'double' shift.
You explain that you have other family commitments that afternoon, and although you frequently do cover sickness at short notice, you have noticed a decline in your health lately and you are therefore reluctant to agree this time, stating that you need to take better care of yourself to avoid stress sickness. Also you know that both your son and your best friend and her son will be bitterly disappointed if you do not attend the party, where you were expecting to help with food and preperations.
The team leader begs you to stay and explains that without your help the community team will be at unsafe staff to patients ratios.
What would you do in this situation ?
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It is proposed that you leave the team at the end of the shift and attend your best friends son's birthday party