Awards
College of Midwives Membership Award
St John of God Hospital Bunbury’s second ever post graduate
midwifery student, Kylie Tassell, won the Australian College
of Midwives Membership Award. Kylie attributes her win to an
in-depth and highly reflective clinical practice portfolio.
The annual award is presented for significant student
contribution to the midwifery profession, commitment to
professional development and a high standard of documentation in a
clinical practice portfolio. Newly qualified and working in
Bunbury's maternity unit, Kylie - previously a Registered Nurse for
20 years - has made midwifery her career, a long held dream made
possible with precision planning and lots of support in her
personal and professional life.
Nurse Unit Manager, Lindy Giddy, said: "Kylie invigorated the
other staff to reassess their many years of experience and practice
and so they used her presence as a learning and development
opportunity." Lindy said Kylie was an outstanding student, who was
available for every learning opportunity, no matter the hour of the
day, and had made significant contribution.
The hospital has a team approach, with students exposed to input
from midwives, GP obstetricians and specialist obstetricians. The
hospital will continue to offer midwifery placements.
Community Group of the Year
St John of God Hospital Bunbury's palliative
care volunteers were rewarded with the title Community Group of the
Year during Bunbury's 2010 Australia Day celebrations.
In October 2008, a group of specially trained volunteers,
started the Palliative Day Support Program. Palliative care
volunteers run a social gathering for palliative community patients
who come in once a week for craft work and a chat. Additional
volunteers have now been embraced, carrying out duties in the
palliative ward and visiting patients in the community. Carers are
able to enjoy much-needed respite while volunteers work their magic
with people living with serious and complex illnesses. "All of
these volunteers are an invaluable asset to our palliative team and
bring friendly, non-uniform personal care to our patients," the
hospital's coordinator of volunteers, Elizabeth Hovey, said.
"Obviously as volunteers, they are all active citizens contributing
to our community by enhancing the life of terminally ill patients."
Mrs Hovey said hospital staff had a great appreciation of the work
the volunteers were doing. "The very nature of their volunteering
demonstrates initiative, generosity and a selfless commitment to
the community as a valuable and much appreciated addition to the
palliative service offered by St John of God Hospital Bunbury."