Dunedin Hospital has recently welcomed St John Dunedin Hospital Friends to Ward 8 Medical – offering company, cups of teas and chats.
“We understand that while in hospital patients may experience loneliness and boredom. We have introduced volunteers to visit the ward five days per week,” says Jenny Rākāsz, Director, Allied Health, Science and Technical.
“The purpose of the Hospital Friends on the ward is to provide companionship for our patients by reading, playing games, making a cup tea, and going for short walks with them.”
St John Hospital Friend Kerry Otto says after working in the caring profession most of her life, she is looking for purposeful work in retirement. She is excited to be a part of the St John Dunedin Hospital Friend programme and giving back to the community.
She sees value in spending time with patients and “freeing up the nurses and health care assistants to do what they need to do”.
“Hospital can be a lonely place and it’s nice to talk to someone,” says Patient Bev Partridge. She was impressed with the initiative and welcomed the volunteers to the ward. “I’ve met a different person each day this week, all have offered to make me a cup of tea or to sit down and have a chat.”
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