Health care employees deserve all our respect

THIS is a personal story, one of thanks and appreciation to the amazing people in the Toowoomba heath sector.

I was a bystander over the past month as my husband underwent two surgeries at St Vincent’s Hospital.

Yes, it was a very stressful time. High anxiety prevailed and the waiting, oh the waiting.

I had forgotten, probably taken for granted and to be more accurate had little real appreciation for the daily work of our health sector.

My deepest admiration extents to the administrators, doctors, nurses, and cleaners just to name a few at St Vincent’s Hospital in Toowoomba.

All playing their part in creating a health environment to facilitate wellness in our community.

The skill and genuine care they showed can only be described as outstanding.

Their guardianship, dedication, and attention to detail was on show.

They showed it was an absolute privilege to care for patient’s needs, but also their thoughtfulness by checking in with me, providing personal comfort, needs to be acknowledged. I cannot personally thank them enough.

When you are embedded in the health sector experience, as a patient or bystander and see and watch what goes on, you begin to really understand the care and compassion taken and the complexities of the environment.

My experience reminded me of the saying, which harks back to Native Americans and the Mary T Lathrap poem of 1895, that before you judge a person, first walk a mile in his shoes.

We are truly blessed in Toowoomba with the breadth and expertise in our health sector.

And if you did not know, Toowoomba also has world leaders in health and allied care education.

Our foundation partner, the University of Southern Queensland is the breeding ground for outstanding nursing and allied health graduates.

Their contribution needs acknowledgment and recognition. In fact, in 2021, they were ranked one, in Australia for nursing graduate starting salary.

I mean, why would you study anywhere else?

Have you got a personal story of a business that you would like to share? Send it to admin@toowoombachamber.com.au.

WHEN YOU ARE EMBEDDED IN THE HEALTH SECTOR EXPERIENCE AND SEE AND WATCH WHAT GOES ON, YOU BEGIN TO REALLY UNDERSTAND THE COMPLEXITIES OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

TODD ROHL