South Gippsland Hospital applauds “invaluable” volunteers

SOUTH Gippsland Hospital in Foster has applauded the dozens of kindly, practical local people who regularly give their skills and service to the Health Service and the Corner Inlet district community.

The members of this “active group” were hailed as “invaluable” by the Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Paul Greenhalgh and Director Community Health Samantha Park on Monday May 17, 2021 during this year’s National Volunteer Week.

All have been sent a card formally thanking them for their help, along with an invitation to an afternoon tea arranged especially for them to express the Hospital’s appreciation of their ongoing efforts.

“How grateful we are for our volunteers’ generous donation of their time,” Paul said.

“Their contributions to the health and wellbeing of our local community are invaluable, in the true sense of the word,” he said.

“The volunteers are very reliable, and they certainly are an important part of the South Gippsland Hospital team.”

Samantha said the volunteers fill a wide range of roles, at the Hospital, the Banksia Centre and the Community Health Centre, ranging from administrative assistants, pastoral carers and drivers to health clinic aides and social support group activity guides.

“All of our volunteers are registered with the Health Service and everyone signs a confidentiality agreement to guard patient and client privacy,” she said.

“The volunteers work so well beside the Acute Care and Community Care staff, and what they do complements the members of the Hospital’s Auxiliary who also provide enormous amounts of time to raise funds to buy much-needed medical equipment.”

Samantha said the South Gippsland Hospital “is always glad to welcome new volunteers.”

With a grin, Paul added “there’s plenty of autumn leaves that need raking up just now!

“On a little more serious note, we would like to ask community members to consider joining a Board Committee,” he said.

“Currently we have a vacancy on our Clinical Governance and Quality Committee, and we would welcome another consumer representative to actively take part in this forum.

“The Clinical Governance and Quality Committee monitors all aspects of the quality management systems within the Hospital,” Paul said.

“Anyone who would like to join our team in any way can contact the Hospital on 5683 9777 to indicate their interest.”

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