Timaru physio gets national recognition
A Timaru physiotherapist’s national award has been attributed to her leadership, sacrifice and dedication.
Sonya Veale has received the Health Quality and Safety Commission’s Open for Leadership award for 2018-20.
It recognises her ‘‘championing multiple projects and playing a huge role in the South Canterbury District Health Board’s assessment, treatment and rehabilitation unit being awarded the best outcome for stroke rehabilitation in New Zealand by the Australasian Rehabilitation Outcomes Centre’’.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Veale, who works at Timaru Hospital, was unable to receive her award in person and said she was shocked and a ‘‘little embarrassed’’ to hear of the award.
‘‘I truly believe we work as a collaborative team to ensure the best for our clients, so I was quite embarrassed to be singled out.’’
She said Covid-19 posed unprecedented challenges for physiotherapists, and she was looking forward to resuming normal activity.
‘‘One of the hardest things for physios ... is we’re really used to being in physical contact not only with our patients in hospital, but with family and whanau.
‘‘What we’ve had to do is move areas and be adaptable in this time of uncertainty. We’re really looking forward to getting back to some sort of normality.’’
Veale has two roles with the South Canterbury DHB – 60 per cent as a physiotherapist and 40 per cent as a learning hub adviser, a role she took on in 2019.
She admits to being pretty good at ‘‘raising her hand when there’s a call for volunteers’’.
‘‘I like finding out what people think – both colleagues and clients – and where the sticking points are, so we can move forward.
‘‘I’ve been very lucky in that I love the ‘ICARE’ values the DHB has and the push to be a learning organisation.
‘‘This new role has given me extra opportunities to lead and inspire other people. It’s all about the patient for me – providing the best possible quality care we can to meet our individual clients’ needs.’’
Veale, who graduated 21 years ago, initially worked in Taranaki, then spent 16 years in the UK. She has been based in Timaru since returning home in 2009.