Team’s care of colleague recognised
DUNEDINBASED medical imaging technologists have won a national award for the care and support of a patient who was also their friend.
Te Whatu Ora Southern medical imaging technologists (MIT) were named team of the year at the New Zealand Institute of MRT’s annual conference earlier this month for their support of colleague Craig French as he battled heart failure.
Te Whatu Ora Southern senior charge MIT and joint professional radiology lead Debbie Cragg said Mr French, a fellow radiographer at Dunedin Hospital, sadly died from heart failure while awaiting a heart transplant in 2020.
‘‘Since his diagnosis in 2017, he had incredible support from his colleagues, which increased as his condition deteriorated.”
The support also extended into social support –— Mr French lived alone so the team supported him with cleaning and other household chores, and arranged social occasions for him, she said.
“Towards the end of his illness, they took him to the mountains so he could see the snow one final time. They even busted him out of hospital on his birthday — with the approval of his clinician Anouska Moynagh — and took him out for a fancy dinner in his wheelchair.”
In order to be accepted on the waiting list for a heart transplant, Mr French needed a support person present with him, in person, at every appointment, and this person needed to stay with him overnight when he travelled to appointments in Auckland.
So, a group of 10 MITs formed a support group around him, attending every appointment and using their own leave entitlements to do so.
Te Whatu Ora Southern District service manager of radiology Stephen Jenkins said he was very proud of the team’s efforts.
“The extent to which Craig’s friends and colleagues supported him throughout this is nothing short of remarkable,” he said.
“It really was a wholeofteam effort, which continued until well after Craig sadly passed away.
“While I know all the support given was provided with no expectation of reward or recognition, I am so pleased that the MIT group has received this thoroughly deserved award.
“So, congratulations MITs of Dunedin. I know this will bring memories of your time with Craig to the fore and I am sure he would be very pleased that you received the recognition you deserve,”
Mr Jenkins said.