"ICU- Charlie’s wonderful team"

Working in healthcare myself- I know how burnt out and stressed the public health service is. Especially critical care. 

But experiencing firsthand the warmth, genuine care and professionalism of ICU admin, nursing and Intensivists looking after my mum (the patient) and my father and sister- is a light in an other wise bleak holiday period with a sick matriarch. 

I would like to write my compliment it in a condensed 24 hour ‘highlight reel’ if I may. I hope you are able to leave in the names, and any I forgot or omitted; please know your care is no less valued- (but I only have 1000 word limit). 

It begins calling through to Nurse Shelby or Nurse Lauren, letting me know mum is going in for early surgery and works out the logistics with us to make sure all our family maximises visit time. We arrive with a warm smile by Paula, who ushers us in- past the ‘flight deck’ with smiles and warm eye contact from Dr Luke, Dr Simon, Dr Marie and Dr Gabby (and others) from the medical team- you know who you are.

Nurses Tahlia, Ellie, Liz or Nick welcome us by mum mums bedside, grab us chairs and give us a handover of mums condition since we last saw her, patiently answer any questions we may have and organising social work/medical certificates or anything else we meekly request before systematically ensuring their assessments are done systematically and with their ECU nursing students, teaching them in ernest. Nurse Emma leans over from the next bay to lighten the mood and pod leaders and shift coordinators efficiently juggle staffing to ensure yea breaks are fair and workload is fair and safe. Nurse Solomon explains what imaging Mum is booked in for and why. Dr Brad and Dr Simon shake my sister and elderly father’s hand and introduce themselves, giving their heartfelt regards before continuing to the next bay for a procedure. Dr Gabby comes next to us, explains the medications mum is on, why they changed, why they are given and seems to know the answer to a question i have yet to formulate in my own head. 

My mothers hair is brushed, platted with barely a hair out of place and her skin is clean and moisturised with no evidence of pressure sores. Her dressings, oral care and general hygiene is immaculate and watched like a hawk by everyone- whatever the day or time. As we say goodbye and walk out of ICU towards the lifts, we are stopped by Dr Thom who was on his way somewhere important like a meeting with others, but still finds the time to stop to find out what we know, what the treatment plans are and to offer a clear, compassionate and non condescending ear. We are his only concern in that interaction. We see Nurse Lauren come up afterwards, she had noticed my frail father had a small cut on his foot both he and i didn’t see. She gave him a small dressing without hesitation or expecting

We leave, with my sister and I regularly updated by Nurse Amy, Bron and Clare daily.

Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Executive- You already know you have suitability qualified staff in your ICU. But more than that- I hope you know that every Patient and patients family I saw during my time in ICU got the same treatment- everyone was a VIP.  I sincerely hope you see this and realise your ICU is truly special. I feel so reassured and humbled by your team's care. I hope you see this and pass on my congratulations, because I am one voice in a sea of grateful West Australians- knowing you are providing outstanding care. Thank you