1 July 2023, 15:14
Victorian Legislative Council, Melbourne
David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan):
During the winter recess I took the opportunity to avail myself of a little spinal surgery. The procedure took place at St Vincent’s Hospital in Fitzroy and was followed by 10 days of rehab at St V’s in East Melbourne. The procedure was successful, and my level of referred pain is greatly reduced, aided in part by the therapeutic use of medicinal cannabis. Like many of you in this place, I have experienced the odd stab in the back. I must say, it is a terrific alternative to have that knife wielded by a surgeon instead – but I digress.
I have worked in and around health and aged care for more than 30 years, but it was not until I accessed the health system as a patient that I was reminded of how extraordinary our health workforce is.
Here in Victoria we are blessed to have a world-class hospital system, and this is largely attributable to that health workforce. As they support us on a daily basis, it is incumbent upon us to likewise support these workers in their work and to ensure that they are appropriately remunerated and their careers are developed to their full potential. I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks most sincerely to all of the staff at St Vincent’s for their extraordinary care, compassion, good humour and resilience.
[Ends]
