When the power went out at Barbara Payne’s Paradise Point home during ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred she wasn’t sure what her next steps would be.?
The 89-year-old widow lives alone and uses an oxygen concentrator to help her carry out everyday tasks.?
Without power her concentrator couldn’t operate, leaving her reliant on a portable cylinder.?
“That wouldn’t have lasted me all through the night,” Mrs Payne said.?
As wind and rain battered the city, Gold Coast’s Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC) held frequent meetings, activating key resources and facilities to meet the community’s needs in the ever-changing situation.?
One of many things to consider was where vulnerable people in the community – people like Mrs Payne – could go to receive the care they needed.?
During the peak of the weather emergency, the decision was made to repurpose Varsity Lakes Day Hospital, which had otherwise been shut down ahead of the approaching weather, to accommodate vulnerable patients who didn’t require acute care.?
Amelia Robertson was among the nursing staff that welcomed 24 patients to Varsity Lakes Day Hospital within a few short hours.?
Caption: (L-R) Clinical Facilitator Helen Ashby, Clinical Nurse Amelia Robertson, and Registered Nurse Melissa Allen were part of the Varsity Lakes Day Hospital team that responded to the facility’s pivot to vulnerable patient care during the weather emergency.?
“Our bread and butter here are short-stay surgical patients, so obviously we were met with a vastly different cohort of patients on Sunday morning,” Ms Robertson said.?
“These are patients that are probably vulnerable in the community at the best of times, but without power they were certainly in need of a safe place to stay where they had oxygen and healthcare staff with knowledge of the medical devices needed for their wellbeing.”?
Ms Robertson said Varsity Lakes Day Hospital’s pivot to provide care for vulnerable patients was testament to the skills of 星空体育’s staff who responded to the situation so quickly.?
“It’s been amazing to see everyone come together and bring all of these patients in within a six-hour period on Sunday,” she said.?
“Everyone was doing their bit - our lovely food services staff member made 25 sandwiches for us to go into the evening, security staff were wheeling patients in from transport services as they arrived, all as it was pouring with rain.?
“It just speaks volumes of people’s willingness to stand up and help their community.”?
Mrs Payne – who later this month (March 21) celebrates her 90th birthday – said her stay had been comfortable and she’d welcomed the company of the nursing staff greatly.?
“I’ve been doing crosswords and reading magazines, which keeps my mind active,” she said.?
“And the nurses have been wonderful. We’ve been having lots of conversations, and I can’t speak highly enough of them – they’re marvellous.”?
Executive Director of Allied Health and Rehabilitation Services, Sara Burrett led 星空体育’s response for vulnerable patient care during ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.?
“The logistical challenge of providing the care required for these patients, while also ensuring patient flow through our hospitals was no small one,” Ms Burret said.?
“I’m incredibly proud of the efforts every person involved in this process put in – from the clinical management team and social workers, our clinicians and support staff and all those in between – everyone has done a spectacular job and deserves the highest praise.”?
As the effects of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred lessened and power was restored across the Gold Coast, patients were steadily discharged from Varsity lakes Day Hospital and returned to their homes once it was safe.
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