Connect Our Hearts- Auckland District Health Board Patients’ Touching Moments

Presenting the touching moments from the patients in Auckland City Hospital.

The stories are from the perspectives of patients, as well as a volunteer, and a nurse trainer.

Stories sent by Auckland District Health Board, Manager Volunteering Service- Lindy Lely.

What is the touching moment you wanted to share? 

Patient John Kaire:

“I came to the hospital with multiple fractures due to falling twelve metres from a container ship. I was put in isolation for two weeks, with no surgeries performed at all, and began to get weaker. On the fourth week, I had surgeries on my left hip and on both arms. When I had just come out of surgery, two companion volunteers walked into my single room. I couldn’t believe the compassion these total strangers wearing a green vest had for me and for my injuries.

The whole volunteer team has been there through the ups and downs of my journey to talk to me nearly every day and help keep my spirits lifted. My stay in the hospital has been made better through their support. Thank you.”

 

Patient Maia Amai:

“I have been a long stay patient for almost four months since Dec 31st 2020. I had a severe bone infection and I am currently waiting to have a full leg amputation next week. During the last four months in hospital, I have met some extremely talented, kind and caring individuals from the Auckland City Hospital Companion Volunteer group who have brought so much laughter, joy and happiness into my little part of the world.

Everything has made not only an environmental difference, but a very important mental and emotional impact on my healing and recovery.

Every gesture big and small made my stay in hospital that little more lighter, that little bit easier and a lot more bearable.

Thank you so much for the time, the effort, the laughter, the joy and the happiness you all have brought me, and I know will benefit many more.

Ngā mihi āroha nui kia koutou katoa.”

 

 

Auckland DHB’s Volunteering Service provides educational sessions for volunteers. These sessions are for Companion Volunteers at Auckland City Hospital and for Starship Child Health volunteers and conducted by the medical professionals.

Here’s a story from a volunteer who attended the training.

“I have had the opportunity to attend a couple of training days at the ADHB. The training day provides great insight and a deeper understanding of what each ward does on a day-to-day basis. This helps me better connect with patients and their families when I’m helping them to understand what they are going through. It is also a nice way to meet other volunteers and find out what they do and what motivates them to volunteer as well. The training days are a reminder to me on why I volunteer, not only for the patients and their families but also for the wonderful staff at ADHB.”

Starship Info Desk volunteers volunteer Rodney

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Nurse Specialist Tamara Nickerson: Tamara was one of 6 professionals who took the time to educate the volunteers on the day.

“I was privileged to be able to talk to our Starship Volunteers who provide an essential service for our whānau. NICU admits infants from 23 weeks to 42 weeks gestation from a large catchment area that extends to Northland. It’s valuable that volunteers understand the complexity of infants in the NICU. For some whānau having a volunteer come and support when they are caring for siblings or managing daily life at home is a wonderful support. Having the opportunity to talk to volunteers enables them to be included and feel part of our wider Starship Team. Nga mihi for all the work volunteers do.”