Macksville High School teacher Nathan White with Assistant in Nursing Jason Summerville.

Patient-centred care is best says Jason

May 21, 2024

Macksville High School teacher Nathan White has struggled with Crohn’s Disease for many years and from time to time, has flare-ups of the condition which causes him to head to the emergency department.

On his most recent visit to Macksville District Hospital, Nathan was so impressed with the empathy he received from Enrolled Nurse (EN) Jason Summerville, that he wanted to personally thank him after his recovery.

“This time I knew the flare-up was different, it was like my stomach was going to explode. Soon after I came into the emergency department I met Jason who asked me what was different about this episode,” Mr White said.

“Jason asked the right questions, he showed me so much empathy, he let me know what was going to happen, reassuring me all of the way, helping in any way that he could,”

As they prepared Nathan to go to Coffs Harbour Health Campus, closer to his specialist, Jason went above and beyond to make him comfortable, listening to him as Nathan described how his chronic disease was affecting him.

“He was reassuring, explaining exactly what treatment was available. He was there the whole time.”

Nursing was not Jason’s first job in his 33 years at Macksville District Hospital. He started out preparing vegetables in the kitchen for the catering staff, then migrated to cleaning duties before working as a health services assistant and in patient transport.

“I liked patient care, so when an enrolled nurse scholarship opportunity came up, I applied. I’ve worked on the wards and in day surgery, but I like emergency where no two days are ever the same.

“I’ve had some great nursing mentors and my philosophy is that you just treat everyone as if they were your family, taking note of what your patient is saying, you are their advocate, that’s what we are there for.”

Jason is currently a finalist in the Mid North Coast Local Health District Awards.

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