JUGGLING his three daughters’ weekend dance and sporting commitments, and 57 staff during the week on Ipswich Hospital’s Medical Ward, is not for the faint-hearted. However, there is no other place Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) Luke would rather be.
The Ipswich local completed his graduate year at Ipswich Hospital 17 years ago and has worked in several areas and positions across the hospital, becoming the Medical Ward NUM in 2018.
He loves the personable aspects of nursing and the community feel at Ipswich Hospital, but also enjoys spending the occasional lunch break with mum, director of occupational therapy Denise.
The personal aspect of nursing was highlighted when Medical Ward patients received a visit from students at Brassall State School, including Luke’s daughters.
The visit was part of the Eat, Walk and Engage (EWE) program that the ward participates in. The students brought a little Christmas cheer by handing out Christmas cards to the patients.
EWE aims to get patients out of bed, spending time outside, and socialising with others to increase overall mood and health.
Music key to health
Music is a key element of therapy at Boonah Hospital.
Resident piano player and clinical nurse Neroli has been serenading patients and staff with her music in the patient recreation lounge for the past seven years.
Neroli said the music brought joy and brightened the mood of staff and patients at the hospital.
Tunes from The Sound of Music are some of her favourite pieces to play, but, in this case, it is the hospital halls that are alive, not the hills.
