Working with children who have serious illnesses and life-limiting conditions is not for the faint-hearted, yet that’s what Sister Audrey Gourrah has done as the Head of Nursing at St. Joseph’s Intermediate Paediatric Care in Cape Town for 18 years, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Located just off the N2 near Cape Town International Airport, St. Joseph’s has been a safety net for children with chronic or life-limiting conditions, who cannot afford access to the care they desperately need.
The facility has been described as ‘a bridge from hospital to home’, and it takes a village to set up this type of establishment.
As the facility can house 175 children at full capacity across six wards, the St Joseph’s staff must comply with the core standards laid out by the Department of Health.
As the head of nursing and head matron, Sister Gourrah’s responsibilities include ensuring everything from admission applications to patients receiving the care and treatment they deserve.
After 18 years, this is second nature to her.
‘I have a passion for all patients that come through our doors, for working with all children and being part of their medical choices. I have a passion for the care we provide,’ said Gourrah.
‘There are a lot of “wow” moments in our line of work and many miracle stories here at St. Joseph’s. That is our world, which is why we do what we do; to see these children’s lives change for the better,’ Gourrah added.
Before joining St Joseph’s, Sister Gourrah worked in acute care at a hospital, where patients would stay for brief periods of time, which would limit patient interaction and engagement.
Because children spend a long time at St Joseph’s, she can ‘get in touch with the human’, as well as consider the holistic picture of the child and spend time getting to know the patient and their family.
Sister Gourrah said that she cannot put into words the feelings that arise when a patient is discharged.
‘I really can’t explain how I feel because I have mixed feelings, but the main one is gratitude. Not just gratitude for the team and the feeling you get but also gratitude for the Almighty for his support and constantly watching over us,’ said Gourrah.
Despite all the success achieved at St Joseph’s, Sister Gourrah and her team’s ability to provide life-changing support has been limited by budget constraints.
When the facility is at full capacity, it is forced to stretch its already thin budget.
While there are many success stories regarding St Joseph’s, whenever someone is discharged, Sister Gourrah always thinks about who else they would have been able to help.
‘Whenever a patient leaves us, I feel proud of the work we do and what we have achieved,’ said Gourrah.
‘But it also makes me think of the care we cannot provide and what else we could do if we had more programmes,’ Gourrah added.
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Picture: Supplied
