Spurred on by award

By CASEY NEILL
TWO Angliss Hospital staff members have been recognised for inspiring positive changes at the Upper Ferntree Gully facility.
Debra Harper won the joint Royal College of Nursing Australia and Eastern Health Award for a nurse or midwife who inspires, promotes, and progresses the profession.
“I was overwhelmed and very humbled,” she said.
She’d only attended the awards ceremony to watch graduating nurses receive their certificates.
“When I got my award I was a bit gob-smacked. I don’t do it for awards,” she said.
But Ms Harper said the honour “spurs me on to continually look for ways of improving and educating”.
Her mother’s death inspired her to revamp palliative care at the Angliss.
She saw how it was delivered in a country hospital and told the unit manager things needed to change.
“I felt at the Angliss there wasn’t the scope to help a patient die comfortably and to help with their journey,” she said.
She completed a course and instituted change.
“It’s made a huge difference at the hospital,” she said.
Ms Harper teaches staff, updates their skills, and continually researches for ways to improve the hospital’s palliative care program.
“I find it really rewarding,” she said.
She also helps graduate nurses find their feet, and is always looking for ways to improve the hospital’s welcome pack for them.
She said it was quite a daunting experience for them to suddenly be a ‘real nurse’.
“I take on a mentoring role with them,” she said.
“We want to make sure their time with us is positive and a great learning experience.”
An oncology mentoring program is another feather in Ms Harper’s cap. But she said none of her work would be possible if it wasn’t for her colleagues.
“We’re all just like one big family,” she said.
“The award is a testament to how everyone works together and maintains a high standard of care and reinforces that we’re doing a good job.”
Occupational health and safety co-ordinator Trish Healey won Eastern Health’s Value Award for Collaboration for the Continuing Care Program at its annual Aspire to Inspire Awards.
“Trish is a knowledgeable and experienced practitioner who strives to build a better health service for residents, patients and staff,” her award citation read.
“She has demonstrated her dedication and support of her area, at times beyond the call of duty.
“Her responses are immediate and she draws all residential services together to achieve the best outcomes.”
Ms Healey grew up in Ferntree Gully.
“My first day at the Angliss three years ago was like coming home,” she said.
“It’s a very family and community-oriented place.
“They sort of make your job a little bit easy.”
She didn’t rate herself as a potential award-winner heading into the ceremony.
“You look at the calibre of people that you’ve been put in the same category with…” she said.
“It’s so overwhelming when you like to fly underneath the radar.
“But it’s lovely being acknowledged for what you do.
“It highlights that we do have to work as a team to present the service to the community.”
Ms Healey’s role is to maintain a safe work environment for hospital staff, patients, and visitors. She looks for new techniques and ensures training takes place.
“The best part of the job is the diverse types of people you come across,” she said.