
Close Observation Units Clinical Nurse Educator Deliah Harris and Registered Nurse Marina Burke.
Pink, magenta, crimson, fuchsia, coral, rose, blush: October shades
Nov 08, 2023Each Wednesday throughout October, Kempsey District Hospital turned many shades of pink in tribute to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And it wasn’t just the wards donning pink, but the staff, too.
The pink blitz not only gave patients and visitors a colourful change of scenery but also prompted open discussion about breast cancer.
Breast care nurse Kelly Scott-McGrath, who now works with The McGrath Foundation, suggested the Pink Up Your Ward competition to Acting Executive Officer Katie Croad, and the hospital team jumped at the idea.
“The staff at Kempsey just make things happen and their effort and artistic talent are appreciated,” Ms Scott-McGrath said.
Each Wednesday, staff wore pink shirts or faced a fine, which, along with raffle proceeds, was donated to The McGrath Foundation, raising almost $800.
Aunty Helen Archibald was the honorary judge, naming the Rehab Unit the best decorated ward, closely followed by the runner-up Community Mental Health Unit.
After the creative and festive success of Pink Up Your Ward, Kempsey Health Campus Executive Assistant, Jenny Clarke had one thing to say, “Look out, Christmas!”
- Community Mental Health team members – Michelle Swan, Maree Steinhardt, Lisa Stephen, Gerald Hoskins and Crystal Kennedy.
- Aunty Helen Archibald tested some of the interactive decorations.
- Close Observation Unit – RN Siji Isaac, RN Surya Jayakumar, RN Jen Reinhold, CNE Deliah Harris, RN Jackson Sommerfield, NUM Lucille Niddrie.
- Winning departments – Community Mental Health represented by Leanne Asper, (McGrath Foundation Breast care Nurse, Kelly Scott-McGrath at the back) Kristy Lee and Crystal Kennedy, Aunty Helen Archibald, Rehabilitation represented by Michelle Green and NUM Kate Martin.
- Occupational Therapists Jess Durda and Kate Patterson, Physiotherapy Administration Assistant Alice Bateup, Physiotherapist Laura Scott, Occ Therapy student Ally England.
- KDH Front of House team – Lauren Clarke, Angela Myers, Veronica Barrow and Michelle Fuller.