RGH midwife enjoys short stint at Kununurra District Hospital
RGH nurse and midwife Erinlee Dugard
Rockingham General Hospital (RGH) nurse and midwife Erinlee Dugard made the most of a four-week secondment at Kununurra District Hospital over the Christmas and New Year period.
Erinlee, who has been a nurse for five years and a midwife for two years, said the opportunity to work in Kununurra was exciting.
“It’s really different from having a team of midwives at RGH with at least two doctors to support you, as you are making many clinical decisions on your own so there is definitely more responsibility,” Erinlee said.
Erinlee said the highlight of her four weeks was helping an Aboriginal mum, from Halls Creek, give birth.
“It was during the middle of the night and she didn’t have a support person and I was the only midwife on – something I haven’t done on my own before,” Erinlee said.
“It was a real one-on-one experience getting to be her midwife and support person and being solely responsible for the safe delivery of her baby."
Erinlee thoroughly enjoyed learning more about Aboriginal culture and building connections with the Aboriginal people.
“Working in Kununurra was a real amazing culture experience. Aboriginal women don’t come into the hospital to give birth with men, they are usually on their own or with a sister and I really liked getting to build rapport with them and approach my care a little different to build trust.”
Even though Erinlee went up as midwife, she also had the opportunity to provide general nursing support which she hasn’t be able to do for a while – the perks of working in a small country hospital.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my experience, not only working at the hospital and gaining new skills but also to experience beautiful Kununurra and its stunning sights like Lake Argyle and Molly Springs,” Erinlee said.
“I also got to see cane toads for the first time!”
WA Country Health Service (WACHS) put a call out for metropolitan midwives last year who were interested in the short-term opportunity to work in Kununurra over the Christmas and New Year period.
Erinlee was given permission to undertake the secondment by Rockingham Peel Group Director of Nursing and Midwifery Heather Pearce and Executive Director Kath Smith.
Erinlee said she was really looked after by WACHS during the whole process.
“From booking my flights, accommodation and car hire to the great communication, Workforce Lead Paula Jolly made the process easy,” Erinlee said.
“This is a really great opportunity for anyone.”
