Long term volunteers at Sydney Children’s Hospital are wearing hospital
scrubs as part of a unique program designed to reduce the stress that can come
with surgery.
Now in its third year, the Volunteers in Scrubs program continues to be one of
the Hospital’s biggest volunteer success stories, with the program ensuring that
volunteers work together with the Hospital’s health care team to provide
non-medical support to families before and after surgery.
When entering the Hospital’s operating theatres, long term volunteers greet each
family, advise parents of what items they need to wear before entering the
operating room and sit with the parents.
Armed with bottles of bubbles, bouncing balls and countless toys and DVDs, the
scrubbed up volunteers help parents entertain and distract the children, many of
who are unsettled following hours of fasting in the lead up to surgery.
Dr Michael Brydon, Director of Clinical Operations at SCH says the secret to the
program’s success is the volunteers’ years of hospital experience and their
extraordinary ability to empathise with each parent.
"While we do everything we can to make the hospital experience as pleasant as
possible, having volunteers on hand to provide support to families during this
stressful time can make all the difference," said Dr Brydon.
"The volunteers in this particular program have a combined 33 years experience
walking the Hospital’s wards. They have seen the good and the bad and have been
exposed to the emotions and stresses experienced by many of the children and
their families.
"Whether parents simply want someone to direct them where to go, to sit with
them or someone to distract their child, our volunteers are always willing to
assist when they can.
“By simply being available to families, they are providing an invaluable level
of support which is appreciated by us all."
Friday 27 February is NSW Health Volunteer Appreciation Day.
Sydney Children’s Hospital extends its gratitude to the 175 volunteers who
donate in excess of 250 hours a week to the Hospital’s various volunteer
programs.
Media enquiries: Jessica Jaramillo (02) 9382 3578 or 0404 001 722.
