In the past week, our COVID-19 Vaccination Program has well and truly ramped up, with all Northern Health staff now eligible to receive the vaccine.

The program began with high-risk health care staff receiving their jab and has now extended to all staff – to ensure we protect ourselves, our patients, families and colleagues from the virus that has changed the world as we know it.

Our senior leadership and board members too received their vaccinations, and had nothing but praise in how our Vaccination Clinic operated.

As Maria Tucker, Divisional Director, Nursing – Cancer Services and Specialist Clinics said, “The staff were friendly, welcoming, efficient and very customer focussed. Very well coordinated, and such, a positive example of our nursing and administration workforce.”

She also had this to say about Lumnise ‘Luma’ Gashi, Nurse Unit Manager for the Vaccination Clinic, “Luma is very visible and active in the unit, providing staff with the independence to work and coaching as needed. Definitely award winning service.”

Debra Bourne, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, added her praise to the staff in the Vaccination Clinic saying, “They have created such a positive, happy and professional unit.”

She went on to say, “I am just so thankful to have received my COVID-19 vaccination. I am thankful for the science, the medical researchers that developed this vaccine, our Australian health care system, who I have enormous trust and faith in, and all the staff in our Vaccination Clinic.”

Just as thankful is Dr Paul Howat, Divisional Director, Women’s and Children’s Services, who said, “I felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders – I’ll be protected from severe disease! I’m so grateful to our hospital for looking after us and the community in this way. I feel very emotional and uplifted. Please get vaccinated when you are offered one.”

Our Board Chair, Jennifer Williams AM, echoed these sentiments, saying, “I had the COVID-19 vaccine today because I believe it is vitally important that all Australians get vaccinated to get this pandemic under control.”

Peter McWilliam, Board Member agrees and says, “I’ve just had my COVID-19 vaccine. I’ve done it not just for myself, but for the rest of the community and loved ones that I want to protect.”

For more information, visit our COVID-19 Vaccination page here

Featured Image (clockwise from top left): Jennifer Williams AM, Dr Paul Howat, Peter McWilliam, Debra Bourne