Maleny hospital volunteers call time on ‘intensive caring’ roles

Maleny volunteer Sylvia Pleming farewelled her hospital colleagues after 18 years of compassion and care for patients.

Maleny Soldiers Memorial Hospital last week farewelled two of its much-loved volunteers. Sylvia Pleming and Judy Breeman who have spent many years helping patients and visitors were honoured at a special morning tea.

Sylvia first started volunteering at Maleny Soldiers Memorial Hospital 18 years ago in 2003. During her time volunteering Sylvia could often be seen walking through the wards offering personal items to patients such as shampoo, shavers and books to read.

She enjoyed chatting with patients and their friends and family or visitors from out of town, ensuring they had everything they need for their stay.

Sylvia, along with Brian and Douglas are part of the original volunteers who started at the hospital in 2003. The trio helped to develop the volunteer program and have guided it to where it is today.

“The volunteers have been good and the staff are wonderful,” said Sylvia, 81, who answered the call of duty by chance. “I saw an ad in the paper for St John’s Ambulance wanting volunteers. So I thought, will I or won’t I. But I did, and I’m not sorry.”

Volunteers spend their days supporting and cheering up patients who might be feeling a bit lonely. Sylvia said her job involved listening, caring and empathising with patients.

Volunteer Judy was a friendly face assisting in the waiting area and wards, always happy to stop for chat with patients and staff. Both Sylvia and Judy completed many behind the scenes tasks such as preparing new patient charts, organising the CD/DVD collection, loaning out headsets and helping with televisions.

COVID-19 restrictions have meant volunteer services at the hospital have been restricted, but Senior Coordinator of Volunteer Services Michelle Acworth said the community and hospital staff were very pleased to learn volunteers would be returning back onsite from March 2021.

“Knowing the volunteers are there to help with spare batteries for the TV remote or provide a birthday card for a patient in the ward makes all the difference,” Mrs Acworth said.

Director of Nursing Karen Croker said she is proud of the volunteers work and the support they are able to provide patients and staff.

“It seems everyone in the town knows the volunteers and their presence has been missed by all. 

“The staff at the hospital are very excited to hear they are returning,” Ms Croker said.