Celebration for compassionate caregiver

Noala Flynn was a passionate nurse who devoted her life to caring for people at the end of theirs. Having been made the Member of the Order of Australia in 2005 for her services to palliative care, and in recognition of the difference she made to improving the quality of life of her patients and their loved ones, her family chose to establish an annual award in her honour after she passed away in 2020.

Named the Noala Flynn AM Award for Excellence in Palliative Care Nursing, this acknowledgement aims to highlight the passion and leadership of one Victorian palliative care nurse each year.

And the 2023 winner is... our very own Frankston hospital caregiver and ANUM Jeni Whitefield

For Jeni, who grew up wanting to be a midwife, she sees the connection between birth and death and the holistic spiritual care needed for people experiencing these life events as both similar and indeed, equally special. It’s this perception that helps Jeni explain why she was drawn to the field of palliative care in the first place.

“It was challenging to be opening palliative care beds alongside a rehabilitation ward,” says Jeni who was tasked with establishing the new unit when Frankston hospital diversified its services to meet local demand last year.

“In a rehabilitation hospital we encourage independence to help our patients get back on their feet and fit enough to go home,” offers Jeni. “Whereas our work with palliative patients requires a change in focus, with us supporting them as much as we can to retain quality of life for as long as possible — unlike rehab where the main goal is to improve it.”

Nominated by fellow caregiver and ANUM Leah Ebanks, Jeni was recognised for displaying exceptional dedication and perseverance as lead nurse in the establishment of the new palliative care service.

“This was a significant shift for our hospital and our caregivers,” admits Leah. “But Jeni played a pivotal role in educating and supporting staff in providing high quality care for our community. I nominated Jeni because she worked tirelessly setting up policies and protocols and is always a joy to work with.”

Leah continues, “Regardless of what is happening on the ward, Jeni greets everyone with a smile and her genuine passion for caring for others and reducing suffering shines through in everything she does,” says Leah, adding that, “Jeni is the kindest, most knowledgeable, empathetic and compassionate nurse I have ever worked with. I feel very blessed to work alongside her. None of what we have achieved with this new unit would have been possible without her.”

St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital Director of Clinical Services Karen Ward agrees, “Jeni is a credit to our organisation. At the time of establishing our new palliative care unit we had no other trained palliative care nurses at Frankston, so Jeni applied to transfer from Berwick to help support our team. She’s a well-deserving recipient and we are delighted to see that she has been recognised through this award for all the amazing work she does.”

While Jeni was not short of people wanting to praise her as a result of this award, she was quick to point out that the success of the new unit was a result of the team she works with.

“I work with amazingly supportive colleagues so although I was overwhelmed when I’d learned I’d been nominated, I wasn’t surprised that they would go to those lengths to champion me. I’m really proud of what we have achieved in the past year. I love working in palliative care and receiving feedback in the way of these kind of awards and from families thanking us for our care, is truly a gift that I am forever grateful for. It makes me proud to be a palliative care nurse and proud of the service we provide to people at the most vulnerable time of their lives.”