ANDREA LEWIS Writer, Macquarie University Hospital
Empowering nurses during a time of uncertainty A history of strong leadership and caring for its workforce put Macquarie University Hospital on solid footing to support its nursing workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic, empowering them to play to their strengths.
Macquarie University Hospital’s 500-strong nursing
fancy footwork to successfully navigate the details
workforce has had a year like no other. Perhaps
of living with a pandemic.
more than the rest of the health and medical
Initially, there were fears of job security —
sector, they have been faced with constantly
something that Director of Nursing, Deb O’Neill,
fluctuating rules and regulations regarding
moved quickly to allay. Then, leadership began
COVID-19.
putting plans in place to turn trying times to
Is my LGA of concern? What does that mean for my shift? Do I require a COVID test? Am I an
everyone’s advantage. ‘A key priority was supporting the NSW public
essential worker? Can I work from home? The
health system, and making our nurses available,’
broad range of nursing levels and skills, combined
explains Ms O’Neill, credited with outstanding
with complex rostering in the hospital setting, has
leadership under unprecedented circumstances.
meant that both nursing leadership, management
‘With the suspension of elective surgery, we
and staff themselves have had to deliver some
looked at redeploying some of our nurses to
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The Health Advocate • NOVEMBER 2021
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