On Wednesday, October 14, there were mixed emotions at Narrabri District Hospital.
Local resident, registered nurse and health services manager Cathy Leys was celebrating her retirement after 47 years.
And there was regret at her retirement and appreciation for Mrs Leys’ long service alongside the celebrations at the departure of this cherished and well-respected nurse.
Colleagues gathered to celebrate the occasion with a heartfelt speech made by Narrabri District Health Services acting health services manager Margo Carberry and a lovely farewell cake baked by Trudy Schatz.
There were fits of laughter when registered nurse Prisilla Finlay and Clinical nurse educator Kylie Finlay produced a Farm Assistant Survival Kit, a gift presented to Mrs Leys to help her ease into a retirement plan which will very likely involve working on the Leys family farm ‘Kumbogie’.
Mrs Leys’ career began in 1974, starting off at what is now Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital.
Mrs Leys recalls the strict hierarchal system of matrons and nurses, which was especially evident during these times, and her first wage as a training nurse was a mere $44 per fortnight.
Some equipment had to be cleaned and disinfected in large metal boilers in the utility rooms.
Packs, trays and equipment used for dressings and other patient care and clinical procedures were cleaned and sent to the sterilising department.
Bandages were laundered onsite and rolled for re-use. Nowadays things are much simpler, with the introduction of disposable clinical supplies.
“All common patient manual handling tasks had to be undertaken by staff, sometimes needing up to six people to move patients safely, which thankfully has now been eliminated with the lifting equipment used in hospitals,” said Mrs Leys.
Many improvements in hospital care have occurred during her career.
“In those days people would arrive at hospital for surgery, or be given antibiotics, and sent home.
“Now there is a focus on aftercare offered to patients, with individual care plans delivered to patients whereby specialist nursing and allied health clinicians are advising patients on their short or long-term needs for recovery”.
“Over the years, with the growth of an aging population, comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, have led to health issues necessitating a more complex healthcare system”.
“Additionally, it has been most rewarding to see the introduction of equipment such as CT scans, ultrasounds, and pathology, improved management of clinical and palliative care, and the regulations surrounding manual handling and infection control,” Mrs Leys added.
“It has been an interesting and eventful journey, and personally and professionally, nursing has provided me with opportunities to advance my career path.
“I wish to thank all my colleagues across all departments who I have worked with during my time at Narrabri and the wonderful, friendly environment at Narrabri Hospital”.
“This farewell afternoon tea was held for one of our most beloved and valued staff members”, Margo Carberry said.
“We all wish Cathy the very best for a well-deserved retirement.
“Thank you to all the staff who attended, contributed towards the afternoon, and made this day a very special event”.
See more news from the hospital:
- Narrabri Hospital thanks community and updates visitors on procedures during COVID-19 pandemic
- Westpac Rescue Helicopter tasked to carry out urgent medical retrieval from Narrabri Hospital
- Hospital adds to its state of the art inventory
