› One minute with… Kirsty Gildea, Expert Occupational Therapist, Christchurch Emergency Department

2 May 2022

What does your job involve?

I am currently leading a pilot expanding the Occupational therapy service in the Emergency Department (ED). Our key responsibility is to see frail elderly patients and mild head injuries that present to ED. Our role in this space involves assessing patients’ ability to carry out activities of daily living; completing head injury assessments; providing education (around falls, concussion, frailty); completing referrals to community teams for follow-up and liaising with primary care services; talking to the patient’s whānau; and providing adaptive equipment – amongst other things! We work collaboratively with other members of Allied Health and our goal is to have a ‘home first’ approach and be patient-centred to allow the patient to return home if they are safely able to in the first instance.

Why did you choose to work in this field?

I stumbled upon Occupational Therapy by chance, but it has been the best decision I ever made. I love that it is such a varied profession, which involves treating the patient holistically and implementing things that greatly improve quality of life. Occupational Therapy is emerging as incredibly valuable in the acute and primary care spaces to support patient discharge and enable patients to remain in their own homes.

What do you like about it?

I love making a positive impact and ensuring patients feel heard at what can be an overwhelming time for them and that my role enables me to be innovative and solve problems. I really enjoy working within a team environment, including our wonderful Allied Health team (Physiotherapy, Social work, Hauora Māori) in ED who are all incredibly hard-working and fun to work with.

What are the challenging bits?

It can be a challenge at times to create awareness on what our role involves, especially in a new setting. ED is a fast-paced environment, so it can be a push at times to access the support needed for patients in the community due to resource and time.

Who inspires you and why?

My family inspire me – they all have such a strong work ethic while being such caring people, especially my mum, who has achieved some amazing things in her career and personally and is my biggest support.

What do Canterbury DHB’s values (Care and respect for others, Integrity in all we do and Responsibility for outcomes) mean to you in your role?

Respect and care towards other team members and patients is very important and are key to working well in a team and respecting the experience and knowledge of others.

Something you won’t find on my LinkedIn profile is…

Can’t say I have one of those but probably my travel adventures – I’ve hiked up Mount Kilimanjaro and to Everest Base camp amongst other things!

If you could be anywhere in the world right now it would be…

I would love to be travelling around South America about now – although I do really value being in New Zealand and close to family.

What do you do on a typical Sunday?

Getting outside for some fresh air is essential. I love a good trail run up in the hills or finding a new spot for a long walk then finding somewhere that does a good coffee.

What’s your favourite food?

There is a very expansive list! But favourite is probably a good Thai curry or fresh spring rolls.

And your favourite music?

It varies and is very mood dependent – I love some upbeat pop music when I’m running.