Nards has been on our wards for over 15 years and is a massive part of our team and the culture of orthopaedics. Her knowledge of who to contact and refer to, to get our patients the support they need is critical for independence and getting our whānau discharged in a safe and sensitive manner.
Nards is well known to go above and beyond with her “wrap-around care package”. Some small examples are staying after hours to organise food parcels, contacting WINZ and staying on the line for hours, organising transport and housing for our manuhiri to awhi their loved one.
Nards is a kaitiaki for other social workers to get information and support from, and I have heard her many times lending her ear, or cup of tea to help out and offering a time to kōrero about situations.
And finally, Nards has the mana to “have a little chat” with staff who are getting frustrated and impatient with how slowly things can sometimes move. It is always done privately and in a safe manner. She has a way of calming down and diffusing the situation, even after a heated friendly debate.
I really feel her support, hard work and commitment to our people. She needs to be recognised at the highest level as she will never even think she will be nominated for an award such as this.
