"Non clinical staff make a difference - St Vincents Hospital (Lismore)"

Following a low anterior resection I was in hospital and restricted diet post op. Each day as I got better the restricted diet became frustrating and the sight of yellow jelly was becoming obnoxious. I still wasn't allowed to eat solids until things started to work. There was a lovely young girl who came around with tea and meals each day who appeared just as hopeful as myself each day that I would be able to eat something different. She always came in my room with what seemed like a hopeful expectant look. The day I finally got the yes when she arrived at morning tea she beamed with a lovely smile when I said I could eat something and then produced a special piece of buttered fruit bun she had tucked away instead of the dry biscuits that were going around.

I just wanted to say that whilst I believe the clinical staff, doctors, nurses, allied health etc are heroes, I think the non clinical staff like these lovely people can make an enormous difference to patients recovery. It is often the little things such as this very kind act that can make such a difference to a patient's mental outlook in recovery.

The catering, clerical and wards people can make a big difference to patients too and are often not perceived to be valued for this contribution to healthcare. I bet there are millions of stories like mine that go untold and staff like this girl who go unnoticed. So here I am telling about these little touches

(I was a patient at St Vincents hospital Lismore) I have come accross other staff in roles throughout the public and private hospitals I have been in over the cancer journey and they are some exceptionally caring and cheering people.