Rodney Stevens

An innovative new program designed to attract volunteers to provide their valuable services at Grafton and Maclean Hospitals has been launched by the Northern NSW Local Health District.

After the global Covid pandemic saw volunteers locked out of local hospitals, NNSWLHD Chief Executive Wayne Jones said 12 months of planning had gone into considering how the health service could maximise volunteering across the District, resulting in the ‘Healthcare Helpers’ program.

“We are delighted to introduce Healthcare Helpers, a volunteer program offering individuals the opportunity to volunteer at their local health facility in a supported and meaningful way,” Mr Jones said.

“Healthcare Helpers can assist with a variety of tasks, such as lending their creative skills to craft projects with older patients, helping out with gardening the hospital grounds, or just being a companion for patients – fetching a cup of tea or warm blanket when it’s needed.

“Small acts of kindness can make a big difference.”

Clarence Health Service General Manager, Dan Madden said his team in Grafton and Maclean are looking forward to working with volunteers again.

“COVID-19 restrictions meant volunteers have been missed from our inpatient services for a couple of years now,” he said.

“The Healthcare Helpers program creates an opportunity for us to recommence this very important part of the patient experience.

Mr Madden said both Grafton Base Hospital and Maclean District Hospital are seeking volunteers to provide comfort and social support for patients during their hospital stay.

“Grafton is also recruiting an additional role to help greet and guide patients and visitors around the hospital,” he said.

“Applications for Grafton and Maclean based Healthcare Helper roles are open now, while a general expression of interest application is open for all other locations across the District, with more specific roles in other areas being announced shortly.”

Local fundraising groups, Our Kids and the United Hospital Auxiliary are also seeking new volunteers to help raise money for the health service.

NNSWLHD Volunteering and Fundraising Manager, Claire Quince, hopes the eagerness of staff to welcome volunteers is matched by community response to advertised roles.

“We are encouraging people from all walks of life to join us as Healthcare Helpers,” she said.

“We hope this new volunteer community will reflect the diversity found within broader communities and help ensure our staff are supported when responding to the needs of patients and their loved ones.”

For more information on Healthcare Helpers visit the NNSWLHD website

Volunteer enquiries can be directed to Claire Quince via email: nnswlhd-volunteer@health.nsw.gov.au or phone 0459 953 520.