Capital and Coast District Health Board (CCDHB) has recently lost more than 100 years of nursing experience with the retirement of three long-serving district nurses.
Late last month, 75-year-old Liliane O'Leary retired after dose to 40 years' district nursing in the Wellington region, the last nine based at Kenepuru Hospital Swiss-raised O'Leary came to New Zealand in 1967 and began work as a charge nurse at Green Lane Hospital, before moving to Wellington and beginning her district nursing career in 1970.
District nursing colleague Kim Poole said O'Leary was a highly valued member of the team. 'She is a dedicated and meticulous nurse, who has always put the needs of others before herself. Her colleagues and patients will miss her cheerful smile and her immense hard and devoted work to nursing. We wish Lil a happy and fulfilling retirement that is well overdue and definitely deserved,' Poole said.
Other colleagues commented that nothing was too much trouble for O'Leary, that she was an inspirational nurse and passionate about district nursing.
O'Leary was officially farewelled at an afternoon tea late last month.
Kapiti-based district nurse and long-time NZNO delegate Sue McGlone retired recently after a nursing career which began in July 1960 at Wellington Hospital. Her career included work at Green Lane Hospital's intensive care unit and theatres, time as a midwife, a public health nurse in Hamilton, and as charge nurse at Waikato Hospital's stroke and rehabilitation unit. She began district nursing for CCDHB ten years ago and was an NZNO delegate since 1999. Colleagues described her as politically astute and very affirming and supportive of her colleagues. She was highly professional and a very determined patient advocate.
NZNO organiser Barbara Crozier said McGlone always ensured her members were weft represented and was a very caring and thoughtful delegate.
Juliet Scott has retired after 28 years as a district nurse in Wellington, most recently in the Brooklyn and city area. She said caring for people in their own homes was her passion. She trained at Wellington Hospital and her entire nursing career was spent in the Wellington area. District nursing colleague Anne Leslie said Scott would be remembered for her humour and for being a valued and loyal team member.
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