Working with children who have serious illnesses and life-limiting conditions is not for the faint-hearted. Pouring your heart and soul into their care for 18 years is an even tougher ask. Yet that’s what Sister Audrey Gourrah has done as the Head of Nursing at St. Joseph’s Intermediate Paediatric Care in Cape Town.
Many of the youngsters at St. Josephs spend extended amounts of time away from their home and family, and in the care of Gourrah and her team. This takes a special kind of emotional strength, but for Gourrah, being able to help change lives for the better is the reward.
Houses 175 children
Situated just off the N2 near Cape Town International Airport, St. Joseph’s is a safety net for children with chronic or life-limiting conditions who cannot afford to access the care they desperately need.
The facility is described as “a bridge from hospital to home”, and it takes a village to set up this kind of establishment.
With the ability to 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, Gourrah is responsible for ensuring everything from admission applications to ensuring patients receive the care and treatment they deserve. However, 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,” she says.
‘Wow’ moment
“There are a lot of ‘wow’ moments in our line of work and many miracle stories here at St. Joseph’s.
“This is our world, which is why we do what we do; to see these children’s lives change for the better.”
Before joining St. Joseph’s, Gourrah, who lives in Goodwood, worked in acute care at a hospital where patients would stay for brief periods of time, limiting patient interaction and engagement. Because children spend a long time at St. Joseph’s, she can “get in touch with the human”, consider the holistic picture of the child and spend time getting to know the patient and their family.
This extended time spent in care makes every patient’s departure bittersweet.
Gourrah says 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.”
Limited budget
Despite all the success achieved at St. Joseph’s, Gourrah and her team’s ability to provide life-changing support is limited by budget constraints. When the facility is at capacity, it is forced to stretch its already thin budget.
While there are many success stories, whenever someone is discharged, she 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,” she says.
“But it also makes me think of the care we cannot provide and what else we could do if we had more programmes.”
You can help Gourrah and her team provide the care the patients of St. Joseph’s so desperately rely on. Support their Christmas Wish campaign and give the gift of a second chance this holiday season.
Donate via: https://stjosephsipc.org.za/make-a-childs-christmas-wish-come-true/
