‘It made my day!’: Staff and patients share their stories on World Kindness Day

The positive power of kindness is spreading around Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) as we celebrate World Kindness Day.

WSLHD chief executive Graeme Loy said today is the perfect time to consider how we can show more kindness in our day-to-day work, and appreciate the kindness of others.

“When we think about kindness in healthcare, we often focus on the way we care for our patients. I would also like to focus on showing kindness to one another,” Graeme said.

“Our culture is created by the small decisions we make every day. Our conversations with one another present one of the biggest opportunities to change our culture to one of kindness.”

In preparation for the day and the launch of the Ministry of Health’s Kindness Works Here campaign, staff and patients have shared their stories of how a simple act of kindness made a difference in their day.

Check out their stories below and send your own submissions to WSLHD-ThePulse@health.nsw.gov.au.

“I see kindness happening every day with how staff talk with patients and families, saying hello and asking how they are. Staff know it can be really hard and worrying for patients and families and a friendly face can make a big difference.”

Sheila Llarena, registered nurse, Neurosurgery.

“I decided to get a coffee from our beloved barista Angela, but I didn’t have any money with me at the time and told Angela that I would go back to the office and come back to pay for it. When I returned Angela said, ‘the other lady who was behind you in the queue had paid for you.’ That was so kind of her and that gesture of kindness did make my day! Luckily I remembered it was my colleague Manal Khan. Thank you and I hope we all come across nice and kind people like Manal.”

Melissa Tao, pharmacy manager, Westmead Hospital.

“I experience kindness every time I visit the Westmead Physiotherapy Team because they help me with my pain and are so friendly. My lovely husband Oscar also kindly comes with me to every appointment.”

Monica Zepeda, patient.

“For World Mental Health Day we printed compliments for all the staff and clients at Mount Druitt Community Health Centre.”

Emma Campbell, speech pathologist.

“Today I found two great places for patients needing to move into aged care facilities. This can be a difficult time for families and I try to make the transition as kind as possible for patients and families.”

Paola Georgoudis, aged care information liaison officer, Social Work.

“Patients were kind to me last week and gave me a box of chocolates and a jar of honey. The last Junior Medical Officer rotation also gave me a lovely tea set and card.”

Kim Foxall, case manager, Neurosurgery.