Rural Northwest Health will farewell Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Maree Bell this week after she announced her retirement following a spectacular 24.5 years with the organisation.
Commencing with RNH in February 2000 as an Associate Nurse Unit Manager (ANUM) of the then-23 bed acute ward, under the guidance of Director of Nursing Patrice Rickard and Nurse Unit Manager Coral Schmidt, Maree recalls her role as being “very busy at times” with not only the ward to keep an eye on, but also a delivery suite, urgent care, and theatre sessions.
Following a recommendation from a colleague, Maree took up an Infection Control position in 2004, completing a 12-month course which she recalls was in-depth and required many assignments.
Guided by Jan Spencer, Maree said she learnt a lot and was at that time juggling her new role with also working on the ward.
Following completion of a Nurse Immunisers Course, Maree was permitted to perform staff immunisation.
Seeing many changes and challenges throughout her years, including challenges with outdated heating and cooling systems, several office moves, working shift work, the construction of new buildings, and the many outbreaks including gastro and most recently COVID-19, Maree said some memories stick in her mind.
“A party to farewell the former acute ward in 2016 managed to capture a few ghosts on camera. This could explain the noises we would hear at night,” she said.
Commenting that the infection prevention role had been a “huge learning curve” guided by the National Standards, Maree has been pivotal in implementing a number of hygiene precautions throughout the organisation including a former monthly education session, aseptic technique and hand hygiene auditing, the introduction of hand sanitiser stations, multiple glove sizes, and sharps containers, and securing of safety equipment in Acute ward.
“I’ve seen many teammates come and go, and have comforted many grieving families,” she said.
“RNH has been a big part of my life and is like a family but now the time has come to say ‘see ya’.”
“I wish my successor all the best, and encourage all to keep up the tremendous good work you do for the residents, inpatients and community. You are the pillars of RNH”.
Planning to spend some quality time with her grandchildren in Melbourne, Maree also plans to mark her retirement with travelling, gardening, and making a dent in all of those unfinished craft projects sitting in her cupboards.
Executive Manager Clinical Services Joseph Bermudo said: “As you step into the next chapter of your journey, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for your 24.5 years of dedicated service at Rural Northwest Health. Your exceptional contributions as our Infection Prevention and Control Nurse have been nothing short of remarkable, especially during the unprecedented times of COVID-19”.
“Your unwavering commitment to ensuring that RNH meets and exceeds our IPC Key Performance Indicators has played a pivotal role in safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our community. The standards you have upheld and the protocols you have meticulously implemented have set a benchmark for excellence in infection prevention,” he said.
“Beyond your professional expertise, your willingness to lend a hand wherever needed has earned you immense respect among your colleagues. Whether supporting the acute ward during staff shortages or assisting in District Nursing, your versatility and teamwork have been invaluable assets to our organisation.”
“Thank you, Maree, for your years of tireless dedication, your exceptional work ethic, and the positive impact you’ve had on us all. Your legacy at Rural Northwest Health will be felt for many years to come, and you will be greatly missed.”
“Wishing you all the best in your future endeavours and your much-deserved retirement”.