THE problem with being a clinical nurse, is the need to be so damn clinical.
Palliative care clinical nurse consultant, Fiona Lysaught, and Moree District Hospital Health Service manager, Lee Clissold, are the first to agree a clinical mindset is all part of the job.
And it’s this mindset that brought about an incredible initiative to help palliative care patients in the Moree shire be as comfortable as possible at home.
“I was delivering a bed to the home of a lady in palliative care, and her son commented how very clinical-looking it was,” Mrs Lysaught said.
“I must admit, I’m a clinical person, and hadn’t thought about how clinical it was until he said that.
“Around the same time, I saw on social media, a group in Tasmania who were making bedcovers for the ends of the beds patients were using at home.”
It didn’t take long for Mrs Lysaught to start thinking outside the clinical square.
She spoke with Ms Clissold, who readily agreed to start the project, and approached Moree Women’s Shed about making colourful bedcovers for palliative care patients at home.
“Lee supports all my mad suggestions,” Mrs Lysaught laughed.
Moree Women’s Shed, Moree Cancer Support Group and staff from Moree District Hospital combined their talents to create colourful bedcovers for palliative care patients at home.
Ms Clissold, who fully understands the clinical aspect of nursing, said delivering beds and equipment to homes can be overwhelming for palliative care patients.
“It can be quite confronting when they get to a point where they need this equipment at home,” Ms Clissold said.
“Anything we can do to make it look better and be more comfortable, I think is really important.
“These covers hide some of that clinical component, and makes the beds colourful and more comfortable.
“The bright colours will bring smiles, and make people happy,” she said.
Moree Cancer Support Group came on board and supplied all the materials, sourced from Sylvia’s Fabrics in Moree, and the clinical beds and equipment used at home were transformed into homely pieces of furniture.
“We deliver beds to palliative care patients, so they can have an electric bed at home,” Mrs Lysaught said.
“The beds can go up and down, and do all sorts of things, so patients can have the same comforts as if they were in hospital.
“When the son of one of our patients mentioned how clinical the beds were, it really made me think – some people find it really hard to accept this equipment,” she said.
The ladies at Moree Women’s Shed were quick off the thimble, and produced eight, two-piece bedcovers in bright and colourful fabrics.
“The covers go on both ends of the bed, and are made to fit perfectly,” Mrs Lysaught said.
“They are just beautiful. There were lots of fittings, and refittings, and measurements, and it was such a lovely thing to do.
“We want the beds to look like ‘home’, and not look so clinical, and covering them with these beautiful covers makes all that possible.”
Moree Women’s Shed vice-president, Betty Downes, said the group was only too happy to pull out the needle and thread and start sewing.
“I think it’s wonderful we can help in this way, and make it more comfortable for people at home,” Mrs Downes said.
“Making these bedcovers was a pleasure to do, and the ladies loved doing it. We’ve made about eight so far and if they need more, we’re ready to go,” she smiled.
The work done by the ladies doesn’t stop at bedcovers, either.
“We’re available if anyone wants to come to us with an idea – we’d love to help,” Mrs Downes said.
Moree Cancer Support Group secretary-treasurer Wendy Long said the ladies at Moree Women’s Shed were amazing.
“They also made crocheted rugs for us, which Fiona takes to clients with other bits and pieces when she sees them,” Mrs Long said.
The three-person cancer support group – Gail Goldman, Wendy Long and Amalda Field – relies heavily on local donations, and recently received $18,000 from Regional Australia Bank through its community partnership program.
“That money is already spent,” Mrs Long said.
The group will purchase six syringe drivers – small, battery-powered devices that deliver continuous medication to manage symptoms when a person cannot swallow.
“We also supply scarves, beanies and bandanas as well as a lymphedema pump for breast cancer patients and portable oxygen concentrators for people at home, so they can get out and about.
“We are trying to make is as easy as possible for people who are suffering from cancer and chronic illnesses to get through their journeys,” Mrs Long said.
Moree District Hospital Health Service manager, Lee Clissold, said Moree was very lucky to have volunteer groups like the cancer support team and women’s shed.
“Making these bedcovers is a wonderful initiative, and it’s amazing to have the ladies at Moree Women’s Shed doing this,” Ms Clissold said.
“We’ve had lots of support from the men’s shed over numerous, numerous years and it’s really great to partner with the women’s shed as well.
“The ladies want to give back to the community, and that’s something that is really great about Moree – the community always gives back to the community,” she said.
“We’ve been really lucky at Community Health to see some of those benefits for the community.
“The Cancer Support Group is fantastic and anything we need, is always answered with a ‘yes’.
“They just want to jump on board and help as many people as they can. We’re so lucky to have groups like this in Moree,” Ms Clissold said.
Moree Women’s Shed
When: Every Tuesday morning
Time: From 9.30am until around lunchtime
Where: Moree Showground, south-eastern corner at Moree Men’s Shed
New members welcome: Contact president Jayne McDouall on Jayne 0428 548616
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/moreewomensshed
Moree Men’s Shed
Where: South-eastern corner of Moree Showground
When: Wednesday and Saturday mornings
Time: From 8.30am until around lunchtime
Contact: Ron Baker on 0417 489034 or Eric Noakes on 0428 521342
Email: [email protected]
A wonderful story about fantastic people. We hear so much about the crime in Moree. Lets remember that Moree also has such fantastic people doing kind things.