‘Nursing is not just a profession, it’s a calling’: celebrating Community Health Nursing Week 2023 in western Sydney

Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) celebrated Community Health Nursing week from 11 to 15 September 2023.

Jasmin Ellis, WSLHD’s Integrated Community Health General Manager, said the district is privileged to have such dedicated and diverse community health nursing teams.

“The hard work and dedication of our community nurses does not go unnoticed.

“We acknowledge there are community nursing teams that sit across many of our services in WSLHD to provide care in people’s homes and they are all unsung heroes making a profound impact every day within our community.

“They are consistently supporting clients in their home environment through the provision of care to promote and improve health and wellbeing not only of the individuals but of the entire community.”

WSLHD’s community health nurses focus on the provision of healthcare services, health education and preventative care outside of traditional hospital settings.

They provide within their day-to-day work: health promotion and education, preventive care, assessment, disease management, community advocacy, emergency responses, case management through cultural competence and collaboration across the multidisciplinary teams.

Sarbjeet Purba, a dedicated Registered Nurse at Mount Druitt Community Centre, has been working in WSLHD since May of last year.

“Community nurses act as a bridge between a health care team and a patient,” Sarbjeet said.

“The strong bond I’ve shared with my clients in my time at WSLHD is truly unforgettable.”

Juanita Taylor, WSLHD’s Director of Nursing and Midwifery Integrated Community Health, states “nursing is not just a profession, it is a calling”.

“As nurses we are committed to the provision of equitable health care for all, providing compassion, expertise and dedication for our community,” she said.

“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with many of our nurses over the last three years and am proud to be the Director of Nursing and Midwifery for Integrated and Community Health.

“The resilience, flexibility and adaptability required to meet the needs of our community by our nurses is truly an inspiration reminding us of the power of empathy, strength of the human spirit and the limitless capacity for kindness.

“Thank you to all WSLHD community nurses for your tireless efforts, your unwavering dedication and relentless pursuit of better health for all. Your work is a testament to the power of kindness, empathy and community.”