MULGR
VE NEWS EDITION 56, NOVEMBER 2014
Generosity a breath of fresh air for Gordonvale Hospital
L-R: Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Julie Hartley-Jones, Gordonvale Hospital Nurse Unit Manager Denise Edwards, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Board chair Bob Norman, secretary Jodie-Lee Johnson and Clinical Nurse Consultant for Cairns Integrated Palliative Care Anne Joyce. A generous bequest from a palliative care patient has breathed new life into the Gordonvale Memorial Hospital. Sixty-six-year-old Paul Burgess, formerly of Woree, was a palliative patient at Gordonvale before his death. The following year staff received word Mr Burgess had bequeathed a generous $150,000 which was following by a further $50,000 three years later. Following extensive consultation with staff and other key stakeholders, it was decided the funds would be used to construct a covered outdoor deck to provide patients with a space to enjoy the outdoors. The state-of-the-art structure was officially opened by Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Board Chair Bob Norman in a special ceremony at Gordonvale on the 16th of October 2014. “It is my absolute pleasure to be here to officially unveil the Paul Burgess Memorial Deck,” he said. “I take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to Mr Burgess and his family for their incredible generosity. This area will provide our patients with a comfortable space in which to rest and reflect. This could not have been achieved without this act of kindness and compassion. I am pleased that we have been able to honour the memory of Mr Burgess in such a lasting and meaningful way.” Mr Norman also thanked the staff and builders for going “above and beyond” the call of duty. “There has been a great deal involved with bringing this to fruition and I’d like to thank each
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and every one of you for your dedication and perseverance.” Nurse Unit Manager Denise Edwards said the new structure was already making a “huge difference” for their palliative care patients. “There is no doubt we were crying out for something like this,” she said. “Both the staff and our patients are so grateful to Mr Burgess and his family for this selfless and thoughtful act.” Ms Edwards said the funds had also allowed for a major refurbishment of the palliative care community equipment shed, including air conditioned room, to protect and store thousands of dollars’ worth of essential equipment. “This has been another major addition not just for this hospital but for the community as a whole,” she said. She praised staff past and present for their tireless efforts throughout the planning and construction process. “From Chief Executive Julie Hartley-Jones, Bob Norman and our former director of nursing through to our fantastic maintenance and nursing staff, everyone has played a huge part in ensuring these funds were put to the best use possible to ensure the maximum benefit for our patients, their families and our staff.” Mr Norman was joined by Ms Hartley-Jones and other key members of the Health Service Executive, Cr Steve Brain and dozens of other special guests in today’s official opening and thank you ceremony.
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