News
Decades of locals caring for locals
Jan 10, 2022
Albany Creek resident Karen and Ferny Hills resident Ellen and have both worked at North West Private Hospital for decades and say it’s the caring local community that keeps them there.
“It’s the sense of family… it’s a tight knit community and we look after each other. I have patients coming back and looking out for me and it’s just lovely having that connection,” said Karen – who worked in a variety of roles over her past 30 years at the hospital – from surgical ward nurse to theatres, and for the past seven years as Perioperative Service Manager where her responsibilities include overseeing theatre, day surgery and more.
Karen said the hospital still has that ‘small hospital’ caring feel, despite having undergone a $55 million upgrade recently and now being licensed for 150 beds.
“We do a lot more surgical specialties here at North West Private than ever before, yet I think you get really personalised care here as people are recognised as individuals, not just a number.”
Ellen has worked as the hospital’s Director of Clinical Services for 15 years – and before that, for 10 years in various other roles – and really values the connectedness between team members.
“The size of our hospital allows us to have a flat management structure and my clinical managers are very hands-on which allows me to be in keep in touch with the day-to-day operations of the hospital.
“This helps us provide patient-centred care here at North West.”
The Everton Park private hospital has had several operators during Ellen’s time and Ellen says Ramsay Health Care – Australia’s largest private hospital operator – which took over in 2005 is the most supportive and inclusive.
Ellen reflects on having met Ramsay Health Care’s founder Paul Ramsay before his passing in 2014 and his passion and the company’s ethos has always inspired her.
“He always used to say over and over about how we’ve got to care for our people – and that’s now known as ‘The Ramsay Way’ – we’re people caring for people.”
