Tamworth nurses rewarded for storm effort
30 November 2007
When Newcastle was engulfed by the Queens Birthday long-weekend storms, health and emergency services in and around the region reached out to help the community.
Among those vital contributors to the maintenance of health service in the region were six gutsy nurses who made the trip from Tamworth.
Jay Neilson, Damion Browne, Verity Treeve, Deborah Farley, Debra Paddison and Amanda Heywood left Tamworth Hospital in July to answer the distress call in the Hunter, their contribution will be honoured on Monday at a presentation at Tamworth Hospital.
Tamworth/Armidale Hospitals General Manager Fergus Fitzsimons will present each of the five nurses that remain with the health service with a Government of NSW Medal for Service – Emergency Recovery and Response – 2007 Hunter and Central Coast Storms on Monday in the Boardroom at Tamworth Hospital.
Mr Fitzsimons said he was impressed by the way the Tamworth staff selflessly abandoned their own commitments to see to the plight of others.
“I’m proud of our Tamworth staff who left their families and their ordinary lives to help out in the Hunter,” Mr Fitzsimons said.
“It’s pleasing to see staff from the New England part of our Health Service helping out our colleagues from the Hunter to continue providing services in times of crisis.”
Hunter New England Health’s Disaster Response Co-ordinator Mr Chris Kewley recognised the efforts of all staff involved in the disaster response.
“Our staff worked tirelessly to provide emergency services and support over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend storms,” Mr Kewley said.
“The efforts of many went well beyond normal duties and provided vital support for the community of Newcastle and the Hunter. It really was an amazing effort and I extend my congratulations to everyone involved.”
The five Tamworth nurses are among 330 other Hunter New England Health staff to receive the medal for their efforts in the disaster response.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITY: General Manager of Tamworth and Armidale Hospitals Mr Fergus Fitzsimons will present the five Tamworth nurses with their medals at 10am on Monday 3rd December in the Tamworth Hospital Boardroom. Media are welcome to attend.
Contact: Nick Hansen
Phone: 49214918