By MELISSA MEEHAN
STARTING out as a small bush hospital, long-term staff say the Angliss Hospital has never lost its sense of community.
In the lead-up to its 75th anniversary, the Mail spoke to a number of staff who have seen many changes throughout the years.
Emergency Department senior nurse Fran Chandler has been working at the hospital for 35 years.
“It’s close to home and it’s a nice place to work,” Ms Chandler said.
“The culture here is wonderful and a lot of staff have been working here for years.”
Ms Chandler started out as a registered nurse as what they called a runner.
“I worked night shift and pretty much did everything that I was asked, this included making cups of tea and coffee,” she said.
“I then worked as an associate nurse and then became the unit manager of the emergency department.”
She’s seen a lot of changes in the emergency department, starting out when it was just a tiny area in the hospital, then moving to a school portable before becoming part of the hospital building.
“The emergency department started with two nurses overnight and a doctor on call,” she said.
“Now it’s 15 people on day shift and nine on night.
“It’s a busy spot.”
Lynette De Valle has been working in the health information department for nearly 16 years.
“I came here because it was close to home, and then stayed,” she said.
“The Angliss was and is my community hospital. I bring my family here, I tell my friends to come here, it’s our hospital.”
She said technological changes over time had meant a number of challenges.
In the past records were kept in paper files, but now it’s all on computers.
“It’s really changed for us,” she said.
“I think it’s a positive though, it allows for greater continuity of care and means the records can be shared across the network.
