GERALDTON— A locum physician who travelled to Geraldton to assist with health care at the Geraldton District Hospital has shared his experience.
The locum doctor highlighted positive experiences based on the “team” effort he encountered -- something the head of the hospital has called a positive sign amid physician recruitment challenges.
“This is by far the best team I have ever worked with," the locum stated in a review on the hospital's Facebook page. "From the housekeeping staff all the way up to the Hospital CEO."
The locum described a hectic night in the ER that was alleviated with assistance from a number of non-physician staff.
The individual described being pleasantly surprised to see how non-physician staff members chipped in at the hospital.
“On a particularly busy night in the ER, the nurses put out a call for help/extra hands," he wrote. "And who came out to help? The Hospital CEO, a local NP, and the building maintenance manager came rushing to help with the boots on the ground."
“This team gets the meaning of no 'I' in Team…just pure selflessness to ensure the best care possible to their community of patients."
His review included comments about the “rich nature here, with some of the most beautiful water/lakes ever seen apart from the Caribbean."
The story has been shared by many other physicians in the province through Facebook, hospital CAO Darryl Galusha said in an interview.
In spite of the current challenges, including the fact that the province has cut funding to support a hospital’s ability to have locum physicians, he said the locum physician’s story is one of optimism and gratitude.
The description of staff at the hospital as a "family" resonated.
“My dream goal is to be a family taking care of other families in the Greenstone area, and taking care of anyone who needs help,” he said.
The CAO spoke about what a challenging and difficult time it has been for health care professionals and all health care support staff in recent months and that the positive feedback had been a welcome reminder of the positive.
“It’s time to celebrate the successes in health care, because there are a lot of good things happening,” he concluded.
For Galusha, the fact the locum is planning to come back soon is the best review of all.
“He is planning on coming back in December, and we see that as the greatest compliment a physicians can give us,” stated Galusha.
