Healthcare Heroes: The dedicated nurses working around the clock to keep us safe
From the nurses who teach new parents how to feed and change their tiny baby, to those fighting on the coronavirus frontline, these Healthcare Heroes are working around the clock for our safety.
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It is Hayley McPherson’s steady hands that have held babies and families through some of the most emotional times in their life.
She has watched parents cradle their newborn for the first time after weeks inside The Royal Women’s Hospital neonatal unit and taught them how to feed and change their tiny baby.
She has taken photos for parents who have gone home and comforted them at night when it all seemed too much.
And for the family of Dilraj Singh Gill, she has spent exactly 68 days by their side.
Dilraj was born at just 24 weeks old and weighed 700g — small enough to fit in the palm of dad Kulwant’s hand.
But Mr Singh Gill said it was because of Ms McPherson and her team that his son had defied the odds.
“We thought we were going to lose hope,” he said.
“Dilraj was so tiny, but I don’t worry because I know he’s really in good hands.”
Mr Singh Gill said Ms McPherson and Dilraj’s NICU nurses were “like family.”
“I don’t have a word to describe (the nurses) — they’re a second God to me.
“I can’t say enough thanks to them.”
Ms McPherson said she loved connecting with families, and helping them through the toughest times as a parent.
“You get really invested,” she said.
“Even when you’re not looking after them, you go check on them — it’s really cool to see those milestones.
Ms McPherson said her goal was to “try to make someone’s day a little bit better”.
She said being a neonatal nurse was more than just a job.
“It’s the kind of job I would do for no money,” she said.
“It’s rewarding and I feel really lucky.”
Ms McPherson’s dedication is being celebrated as part of the Herald Sun’s Healthcare Hero campaign — a partnership with Crown Melbourne recognising the hard work of nurses across Victoria.
Crown is giving 250 healthcare workers and their partners the chance to win a luxury staycation.
Crown Hotels CEO Peter Crinis said the group wanted to give back to those on the medical frontline.
“If there’s one thing that COVID-19 has taught us all is the strength of community and the pivotal role of essential workers,” he said.
“Our nurses make sacrifices each day they go to work and expose themselves to serious illnesses like COVID-19, and we wanted to give something back as a token of our collective thanks as a community.”
TAHNI’S KIND HEART
Tahni Baker is the nurse other nurses say they would want looking after them.
It’s high praise at just 28, but with experience from north Queensland to outback Western Australia and London, it is obvious why.
Ms Baker, a Healthcare Hero nominee, has been a trauma nurse at The Alfred for two years and is known for her bubbly personality.
“Just taking that extra half-hour to make someone comfortable or make them a cup of tea,” she said.
“I love what I do, which I hope shows in my care.”
Ms Baker, was also a nurse at Kings College Hospital in London when the 2017 terror attacks occurred.
“I did a few shifts on the wards where they (the victims) were,” she said.
“It was quite intense looking after them.”
But it was her love for helping people that saw her return to Australia.
“Some of the patients (at The Alfred), they’ve had such traumatic accidents that they’re very, very unwell,” Ms Baker said.
“But when you get to see them go home or go to rehab, it’s so, so rewarding.
“I want to make people feel like it’s OK to be in hospital.”
two years and her bubbly personality is known for going the extra mile to make someone else’s day.
“I hope I’m empathetic,” Ms Baker says.
“Just taking that extra half-hour to make someone comfortable or make them a cup of tea.
“I honestly do love what I do, which I hope shows in my care.”
Ms Baker, who is originally from the Gold Coast, was also a nurse at Kings College Hospital in London when the 2017 terror attacks occurred.
ON THE CORONAVIRUS FRONTLINE
Aaron Lampe is one of the many faces fighting on the coronavirus frontline.
The 24-year-old was among those who responded to the first cases of the deadly virus in Victoria, when it was still unknown as to exactly what they were treating.
But behind the personal protective gear is someone who wants to help people at their “lowest point”.
Working on the COVID-19 ward has been a daunting experience for Mr Lampe, who is a medical specialties nurse at The Alfred.
“I think we all had a bit of a delayed reaction, not sure how hard it was going to be,” Mr Lampe said. “But that first positive case — and you saw how hard it can get — it was like a slap to the face. It was really challenging … trying to get someone through that fear, and tell them that there are people coming out the other end.”
But it has made him incredibly proud of the work his colleagues do everyday.
The diversity of the ward he works on means when he is not tending to coronavirus patients, Mr Lampe sees people with a range of needs — including epilepsy, disease and strokes. He also worked in the burns unit and spent time with the surgical team.
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To nominate a Healthcare Hero, click here.