HUMANS OF THE HOSPITAL: Dr Geoffrey McGrath
“A 16-year-old who just fled Ukraine came in for his first vaccination today. Working here at the vaccination pop-up clinic for Ukrainian refugees and listening to some of the stories, you just think, gee – we’re lucky here. The risks some people take to escape their country is unbelievable.
In some of the European countries, they’ve obviously seen the impact of COVID-19 on a far greater scale, so for them to want to come in and get vaccinated is really encouraging.
Since March 2021, I’ve been part of the COVID-19 Vaccination Outreach Program that has seen vaccinations delivered to Paramatta’s homeless, in nursing homes, at the Auburn Gallipoli Mosque, to Aboriginal communities in Kimberwalli and Whalan and now the Ukrainian refugees.
Helping people is part of my life ethos and philosophy – it doesn’t matter where in medicine I’m working.
These are the latter years of my working career, so to be able to still help in the profession I’ve been trained in is really enjoyable. What I’ve enjoyed most is the comradery that we’ve developed amongst the team. As an older doctor, working with all these young doctors; the interaction we’re having with the nurses, the cleaners… has just given me another zest for work.”
– Dr Geoffrey McGrath, Visiting Medical Officer at Vaccination Hubs across Western Sydney Local Health District
‘Humans of the Hospital’ is dedicated to the inspiring humans working at Westmead, Blacktown, Mount Druitt Auburn and Cumberland hospitals in western Sydney.
