Following on from Patient Experience Week last week and with Nurses and Midwives Week here, we're taking the opportunity to thank an important cohort of our frontline team: nursing and midwifery staff. We appreciate them and the patient-oriented care they offer.

Here at Canberra Health Services (CHS), our staff are focused on ensuring our patients have a caring, compassionate, and positive experience when they enter one of our facilities. We are committed to actively listening to the needs of patients and their carers and tailoring services where appropriate.

The Access and Sensory Testing Clinic at the Garran Surge Centre was redesigned and relaunched in February 2022, using consumer feedback to create a more patient-friendly experience.

The clinic sees children, young people and adults with a disability or mental health condition.

‘The clinic is all about keeping the area quiet. No loud talking, bright lights are turned off, the nurses take their time and there is no rushing,’ said Eleni (pictured centre), Registered Nurse at the Garran Surge Centre.

The service has been designed to be person-centred and is adjusted to make clients feel as comfortable as possible.

Eleni shared her thoughts on what she finds most rewarding about working in the Access and Sensory Testing Clinic.

‘You are able to make clients less anxious and just give them the quality of care that they need,’ said Eleni.

‘As a nurse, you can talk calmly and take your time to ensure the clients have a pleasant experience.’

The Access and Sensory journey begins when the client arrives at the carpark. If clients wish to use the Access and Sensory service, it is important they request this service by asking the traffic controller, or alternatively following the signage to drive to lane A where there is allocated parking with close and accessible access to the Clinic.

Once registration has been completed, nurses will explain the procedure, gain consent, proceed with the COVID-19 swab in a calm and quiet manner, and not rush the process.

‘We also have the nebula and star projectors on the ceiling and have birds tweeting in the background,’ said Eleni.

She also took the time to reflect on the experience her and her team have had working as frontline workers during the pandemic.

‘It has been enjoyable. We’ve had a great team to work with. We are so adaptable. We can do anything,’ said Eleni.

Thank you to Eleni and her amazing team and, more broadly, all our CHS nurses and midwives who are so passionate about caring for our community.

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