Queensland’s community spirit always stands strong in the face of adversity and it’s been no different this week following the floods in the state’s far north.
Redland Hospital has jumped in to lend a hand, welcoming 10 patients last night from Cooktown, home to the Kuku Yalanji, Kuku Nyungul and Jalunji clans.
Making the journey from Cooktown to Townsville, and then on to Brisbane, a total of 13 patients are receiving lifesaving dialysis treatment at Redland and Princess Alexandra hospitals after their home town service was disrupted by flooding associated with Cyclone Jasper.
Among these patients is Aunty Gladys, whose infectious smile is lighting up Lagoon Ward.
Despite missing her family and the uncertainty surrounding her home in Wujul Wujul, Aunty Gladys said she was staying positive and was thankful for the care and support she had already received at Redland Hospital and the Redlands Satellite Hospital.
“I want to be home, but it is not safe, and we are being cared for here,” she said. “The staff have been so nice and helped us.”
Gladys said she and her fellow patients had endured a harrowing week.
“We were evacuated first and had to wait in the Cooktown Evacuation Centre for our families,” she said. “We were so worried and praying for them.
“A big military chopper was rescuing people from roofs; one by one our family members arrived, and we were relieved they were safe.”
Gladys said she missed her husband Sedgwick and her family in the lead up to Christmas, but they were also stuck and unable to make it home.
“I know my house wasn’t too flooded, but we’re not sure about water damage,” she said.
Bayside Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Liaison Officers Kaban Griffiths and Shane Dawson said they were providing support to Aunty Gladys and the other patients.
“We are here to support the Aunties and act as a bit of a conduit between the treating team and the patients to provide cultural support,” they said.
Metro South Health Chief Executive Noelle Cridland praised the Bayside Health team for mobilising support for these patients in their time of need.
“I’d like to acknowledge the hard work of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Directorate,” she said.
"We are all working together to provide the best support we can.
“We understand they will be longing to get home but while they are with us, they will receive the very best, caring and culturally appropriate care until they can return to their families.”