RBWH social workers step up

Kylie Sandon is one of RBWH’s 24/7 Emergency and Trauma Centre social workers

RBWH’s hard‑working emergency medical and nursing staff are supported by a range of other professions, including a dedicated 24/7 team of highly skilled social workers.

As one of Australia’s busiest trauma centres, the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) Emergency and Trauma Centre (ETC) is where medical urgency intersects with compassionate, person‑centred support for patients and their loved ones.

Senior Social Worker Kylie Sandon is one of the around‑the‑clock RBWH ETC social work team and explains what the role involves.

“In emergency, we are often supporting people on their worst day, when they are frightened or unsure about what happens next. Our role is to help them navigate that uncertainty,” she said.

“We work with patients and their families in many different situations, including coordinating safe discharge for someone who has experienced domestic and family violence or supporting a family following a bereavement.”

The social work team coordinates with clinicians across the ETC and the wider hospital to support patients and families.

“We work closely with trauma specialists, mental health clinicians and community agencies to provide holistic care that supports people while they are in hospital and after they are discharged,” Kylie said.

Kylie says that social work in an emergency department is unique and unpredictable, with no two days ever the same.

“While traditional social work is often about helping people create long‑term change, social work in the ETC is about providing immediate, safety‑focused care to help people manage often traumatic situations,” she said.

“Every situation is different, and while the work is challenging, it’s always meaningful and rewarding to be able to help people when they need it most.”

RBWH’s ETC social workers are among the many healthcare professionals who provide essential support and care to patients and families every day of the year.