I did my physiotherapy training in the UK and for the first few years I loved working in the respiratory area.
However, after moving to Australia and returning to work at Redcliffe Hospital after maternity leave, I was encouraged to take on all the women’s health patients.
After moving to Caboolture Hospital, I managed to establish a women’s health service and have gradually expanded the service, including commencing a Gynaecology Physiotherapy Screening Clinic in 2013.
I have been at Caboolture Hospital for over 26 years now.
When I started, Allied Health consisted of only two physios, one social worker, one dietitian, a diabetes educator and an administration officer.
We were in a demountable initially which got moved a couple of times before we moved into the current Allied Health Department.
I was working full-time then and as there were only two of us, we had to work every other weekend on-call.
We have definitely grown over this time, physically with buildings as well as our staffing.
I remember one accreditation many years ago we were being interviewed by an assessor in the demountable when we had a code yellow and had to evacuate.
Luckily, we passed our accreditation with flying colours on our emergency procedures!
I have really enjoyed working at Caboolture, particularly in Allied Health.
There is a great team culture and although we are growing it still has some of the feel of a smaller hospital.
I can’t find too many older photos – we didn’t have mobile phones then – but some may see a few familiar faces in this one, where I’m me in the middle.
I have tested out the ED department a couple of times as a patient with the odd fracture, and my granddaughter was born here two years ago.
I have reduced my hours over the years to maintain some work-life balance.
On my days off I work in a different sort of office – in a paddock with some four-legged work colleagues providing equine assisted therapy to clients experiencing a wide range of concerns.
Although it is still work, being outside in nature with the herd is a great way to maintain my own mental health.
In my spare time, I am a regular at Parkrun and am doing a virtual walk around Australia.
I have walked or ran 3,692kms so far, which gets me from Canberra to Tennant Creek Northern Territory, with only just over 10,000km to go!
I may not have quite so much time to walk or run in the next few years as I have recently received a scholarship to undertake a research higher degree looking at the impact of menopause transition for staff working across Metro North, which is very exciting.
Have you got a story to share? Email ckw-engage@health.qld.gov.au.