Let’s hear it for our nursing and midwifery colleagues!
A suite of celebrations for International Day of the Midwife (5 May) and International Nurses Day (12 May) were hosted across SESLHD over the past fortnight. The festivities were a fun affair, putting smiles on the faces of our nursing and midwifery colleagues and comrades.
Royal Hospital for Women
International Day of the Midwife (IDM) was a sweet affair for staff at the Royal Hospital for Women, who were delivered cupcakes and chocolates to thank them for providing gold-standard care to mums and bubs. Staff were all smiles when they saw the sweet surprises!
The hospital also hosted a festive awards ceremony for both IDM and International Nurses Day (IND), to recognise the staff members going above and beyond in their roles. Staff throughout the hospital cast their votes, nominating their outstanding nursing and midwifery colleagues. Congratulations to the Newborn Care Centre for taking home Royal Team of the Year, Annette Taylor for winning Royal Midwife of the Year and Hee Cho, who was named Royal Nurse of the Year.
Helen McCarthy, Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services at The Royal, graciously thanked her devoted nursing and midwifery teams, for the invaluable contribution they make to the lives of Royal women and families. The ceremony was a hit among staff, bellies were filled with sweet and savoury treats and staff were kept entertained with stimulating presentations and a raffle filled with prizes, thanks to generous donations from the Royal Hospital for Women Foundation.
Sutherland Hospital
Sutherland Hospital celebrated their midwives on IMD with an afternoon tea, presenting awards to Sue Sutcu, who was named Midwife Mentor of the Year and Georgia Brill the Midwife of the Year. All nominated staff received a certificate and the winners received a small gift including a pair of purple “Walking with Midwives” socks. Rebecca Moore, Nurse Manager, Women’s & Children’s Health, read a compliment that was emailed for the team, specifically written for IDM (see “Kindness Works Here”) while enjoying a stunning cake, made by Simone Payn, Midwifery Unit Manager of Community Services.
IND was celebrated with free coffee and scrolls for all nursing and midwifery staff to acknowledge the commitment, compassion and care that nurses provide. The hospital also organised a Race Day at Kembla Grange on Saturday 15 May for all Sutherland Hospital staff to come together and celebrate.
Prince of Wales Hospital
IND was celebrated at Prince of Wales Hospital with three events, all aligning with this year’s campaign theme: Nurses: A Voice to Lead – A Vison for future healthcare.
The hospital hosted a ‘Dear Diary’ event, where staff had the opportunity to hear from Professor Tracey Levett Jones, Head of Nursing at UTS, as well as Prince of Wales Hospital staff members.
An awards ceremony celebrated the outstanding achievements of nurses and nursing teams. Congratulations to all award winners, including Amanda Murray, who took home Nurse of the Year.
The hospital also launched the inaugural episode of its new and exciting nursing podcast series, titled Nursing Notes. The episode featured Sarah Hayes, Nurse Unit Manager of the Oncology Unit. Finally, artworks capturing the essence of nursing by local artist and nurse Kris Ancog were exhibited via an online broadcast for all to see.
Sydney/Sydney Eye Hospital
Nursing staff at Sydney/Sydney Eye Hospital celebrated IND with their annual awards. Kicking off the ceremony, staff were treated to a preview of the Lady Superintendent, a short film about Miss Lucy Osburn. Filming took place at Sydney/Sydney Eye Hospital by nurse and film-maker Meg Collins. Nurse of the Year was awarded to Ruby Yang, Nurse Unit Manager, Sydney/Sydney Eye Hospital COVID-19 Assessment Clinic.
Ms Jonathan Magill, Director of Nursing and Support Services, Sydney/Sydney Eye Hospital, thanked nursing staff for their passion, compassion, commitment and good humour. “The ongoing COVID situation has shone a light even brighter on the impact that you have, your ability as nurses to be flexible, responsive and strong. No challenge has been too great, no task or activity too difficult.”
Garrawarra Centre
Garrawarra Centre held an awards ceremony to celebrate IND, attended by Vicki Weeden, General Manager and Suzanne Murray, Nurse Manager Workforce Capabilities, SESLHD Nursing & Midwifery Practice & Workforce Unit. Congratulations to the winners: Reena Tandikar - Outstanding Contribution to Others, Vicky Poutasi - Heart of Caring, Carl Christie-Murray and Elise Smithers from the Dental Care, Podiatry and Music and Memory - Team of the Year and Clark Allen - Emerging Nurse of the Year.
Colleen McEnearney, Acting Director of Nursing and Nurse Manager Operations, delivered purple heart cookies to all staff to celebrate and recognise the exceptional nurses at Garrawarra.
St George Hospital
IDM was celebrated at St George Hospital with a range of fun activities. Lauren Sturgess, Acting Director of Nursing and Lorena Matthews, Nurse and Midwifery Manager, Women’s and Children’s Services, delivered afternoon tea to the midwives across the hospital, starting with the Antenatal Outpatient Clinic team, who kicked off the celebrations by performing the Jerusalema dance – the latest viral dance craze to hit the internet.
Midwives from the Maternity ward joined in the fun with a dirty nappy changing competition and the baby peg game ensured plenty of laughs throughout the day. Staff from the Birth Unit held an afternoon tea, and were joined by new mum Katie Watling, who had nothing but praise for the midwifery team.
To celebrate IND, St George Hospital's executive team greeted nurses at the front of the hospital with balloons and sweet treats to welcome them to work and thank them for their exceptional service.
An awards ceremony was held over morning tea to recognise and celebrate exceptional nurses and midwives in the team. Congratulations to all of the winners, including Erin Casey who was presented Nurse of the Year 2021 and to 5A Neurosurgery and Trauma for winning the Team Award.
War Memorial Hospital
Staff celebrated the day over lunch with an address from Ged Hyde, Executive Manager at War Memorial Hospital, and special guest speaker Liz Ryan, Acting Clinical Nurse Consultant in SESLHD’s Disaster Management Unit.
Liz delivered a uniquely insightful and engaging address offering her experiences setting up and the ongoing coordination of the COVID-19 screening hub at Sydney airport. Staff were riveted to every word, according to Mr Hyde.
The celebration also announced the hospital’s success in gaining National Health and Medical Research Council funding for a two year nursing-research project, in collaboration with the Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration.
Calvary Health Care Kogarah
Calvary celebrated IND by presenting staff with a small gift and a cupcake as they arrived for work. The hospital nurses were thanked for their dedication, compassion and loving care and for living Calvary’s mission of ‘being for others’ each and every day to ensure patients receive the highest possible quality care.
