CHA LENDS A HAND TO FLOOD-STRICKEN ST VINCENT’S LISMORE

The Board of Catholic Health Australia has resolved to lend support to the staff of St Vincent’s Lismore Hospital who have been hit hard by the recent flooding in that city.
Sixty six staff at the hospital and aged care provider have been left homeless or have lost all their possessions as a result of the floods that struck the Northern Rivers region of NSW in late February.
St Vincent’s Lismore is a ministry of the Diocese of Lismore and is unique in that it is the only hospital in all of Australia owned by a Catholic diocese and not part of a larger network.
Established by the Sisters of Charity exactly 100 years ago, it comprises an 86 bed acute care hospital in East Lismore, a 130 bed residential aged care facility, 39 place child care centre, specialist medical suites, and a day surgery adjacent to the public hospital.
Steve Brierley, Chief Executive of St Vincent’s Lismore, has told CHA of how he has been heartened by the response among staff and the wider community selflessly assisting with initial clean-up operations, opening their homes, and donating much-needed items.
On top of this the St Vincent’s Lismore Board unanimously supported a special wage and salary payment to flood-affected staff unable to attend work and has accommodated public renal patients unable to return home, opening a ward especially for this purpose.
Says Steve: “The path to recovery for St Vincent’s and the broader community is following the pattern seen in other instances of community trauma. After the sudden impact of the floods, we witnessed great heroism from our flood-affected staff.
“Most have returned to work despite their losses, a testament to their dedication to patient and resident care, and their desire to reclaim a sense of normality and dignity through work.
“Their sense of mission has come to the fore in this time of crisis. However, the hospital is mindful that this is just one phase of a very long response to collective trauma, and that they are already beginning to see the next phase, which is a sense of disillusionment that will need to be fully appreciated and sensitively worked through before the rebuilding and restoration phase can begin.”
St Vincent’s program of assistance includes helping find ongoing accommodation for displaced staff currently staying in emergency accommodation or with family and friends, getting transportation and community connection up and running, supplying any essential items, supporting their social, emotional and spiritual needs where appropriate, and providing a secure and stable work environment where affected staff can heal at the same time as they heal the people entrusted to St Vincent’s.
CHA’s contribution totals $50,000 and the Hospital Board is prepared to supplement any donations or other offers of help with in-kind and further financial support as appropriate, with a particular emphasis on the 66 most affected staff.
If you want to donate to help staff you can do so at
Westpac
BSB: 032 539
Account No: 810 185
Account Name: St Vincent’s Hospital Special Purposes