Bonalbo Multi-Purpose Service Nurse Manager Kim Grey was not letting a little floodwater from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred stop her from getting to work.
Kim, who lives on a property some 17 km west of Bonalbo, was paddled into work on Monday 10 March by her daughter to ensure she was able to run the community health facility.
“It was my daughter’s idea, she was behind it,” Kim said.
“She suggested she’d paddle me across the creek and a work colleague picked me up on the other side. The creek runs along the back of our property and flows into the Clarence River further downstream.
“We made a call that it was safe to do it as the water was still – we would never have entered floodwaters if it was still flowing.
“I made sure I was well prepared and had a bag of clothes with me so I could stay the night in town.”
Nurse Manager at Bonalbo MPS for the past six years after having worked at Urbenville MPS for 12 years before that, Kim was determined to get to work to support her staff.
“I really wanted to go in to support our staff, who’ve been more than willing to help, and ensure I was there to assist with any issues that arose, so they didn’t have that extra stress,” she said.
“We had vulnerable people from the community who were wanting refuge from the flood waters, our small hospital was full, and we also had NSW Ambulance bringing people in with no way to transfer out by road, so we had our Emergency Department beds full as well.
“I was also concerned some of our staff live out of town and would not be able to get to work, and agency staff might not be able to get to us, so really, I needed to be here to support and help on the floor.
“In saying that, all our MPS managers show the same dedication to their sites and are always there to ensure the sites are covered and prepared in these disasters.”
NNSWLHD Chief Executive Tracey Maisey praised Kim and all the other staff who went the extra mile during the emergency.
“We are indebted to all our staff, both clinical and non-clinical, for their incredible efforts to provide the best possible care for our community over the duration of this weather event,” she said.