Orderlies at the Princess Alexandra Hospital have been commended for their services to the Health Authority of Anguilla and the people of the island.
The occasion was the observance of the first National Orderlies’ Day in Anguilla on Friday, October 16. The ceremony, at the hospital, was presided over by Mrs. Vernice Battick, Head of the Food and Nutrition Department.
“The role of an Orderly is one of service” she told the gathering. “As healthcare workers, we are called to serve the sick, the vulnerable and the dying. The job of a healthcare worker must not be taken for granted. We encounter humanity at its vulnerable point when persons are weak; emotional; nervous; in pain and afraid. We must all be cognizant of the role we play in the most important phases of our clients’ lives.
“Healthcare workers experience much joy and excitement at the birth of a healthy child, and witness the suffering and pain of sick clients – and their heart-wrenching sorrow and grief. In actuality, healthcare workers are there at the beginning of life when a baby draws its first breath; and at the end of life when a person draws his or her last breath.”
CEO of the Health Authority of Anguilla, Mrs. Maeza Demis Adams, said she was very proud of the Orderlies for organising the event. “Many times we think only about the Nurses and Doctors as making up the health services, but I wish to tell the Orderlies that the health system is really just like the body” she stated. “Each cell has a function and that cell is important to the tissue which is important to the organ, which is important to the body. Likewise, each healthcare worker contributes to the wellbeing of our health services. The Orderlies, who are interacting with clients on a daily basis, play a pivotal role in what we do every day.”
During the ceremony, three long-serving Orderlies were specially awarded for their work. One of them was Audine Carty who arrived at an accident scene on the Water Swamp Road before the ambulance got there and saved the life of a victim. “The Orderly was able to bandage the head of one of the victims who was badly injured,” she said. “The victim was in a terrible state and there was no certainty that he would have survived his injuries. I am happy to report that the victim, who was transported overseas, not only survived, but exceeded the doctors’ expectations.”
The second Orderly awarded was Ms. Paulina Proctor who rendered dedicated service to Mrs. Battick’s late parents and left an indelible mark on the rest of the family.
The third awarded Orderly was Mr. Albert (Boss) Brooks. “He is very supportive and encouraging to clients and healthcare workers as well,” Mrs. Battick narrated. “He has a very positive personality and epitomises the slogan that the Orderlies have so aptly chosen: ‘Committed to providing compassionate, professional care to brighten your day’. Boss certainly brightens our patients on a daily basis.”
As part of National Orderlies’ Day, Mrs. Battick and other senior healthcare workers acknowledged the receipt of gifts to the hospital. The first was a gift of a number of pillows from an anonymous donor expressing her gratitude for the care she received at the hospital. The second acknowledgement was for two wheelchairs donated by Mrs. Shellya Rogers-Webster. The grateful donor said she had at least two family members who were obliged to use wheelchairs. She knew the difficulties they had endured and this motivated her to provide this type of assistance for other persons.
