Renal patients and their families have voted kidney specialist Dr Danielle Wu and the Renal Team as the winner of the People’s Choice Award.
Dr Wu and the Renal Team received multiple nominations from their ‘extended family’ of patients.
People receiving kidney dialysis attend the Base Hospital two to three times a week for between four to six hours.
One nominee Peggie Radell said dialysis was a way of life for anyone with end stage kidney failure.
“Once you enter the doors there, your future is either a transplant or passing on.
“The renal team are like an extended family for many patients. Not only are they professional, caring and compassionate, they are a smiling face when things aren’t going well.
“They are a shoulder to cry on in tough times, and most importantly they are our life savers,” she said.
Ms Radell said the renal team was an extended family to her and many other kidney patients.
“I have been in many wards within the hospital, and I must say that without the love and support of the renal nurses life would be so much harder for kidney patients.
“For me personally, I met Dr Wu and the renal team two years ago when I commenced hemo dialysis.”
Ms Radell has end stage kidney failure from a rare genetic condition that damages the kidneys.
“My life changed overnight with this diagnosis, going from working as an assistant manager at Flight Centre, my dream job, to being that sick I couldn’t lift my arm to brush my hair.
“I was in and out of hospital for months with every complication you could think of. This was an extremely hard journey for me both mentally and physically.
“I have now been on dialysis for two years and still awaiting a non-live donor transplant. Without the care and compassion shown by all of the renal team it would have been so much harder.
“This team is truly amazing and I honestly don’t think they receive the gratitude or thanks that they should. Kidney patients are sometimes treated very differently to other patients as it is perceived that we have abused our bodies resulting in kidney failure. For many that is indeed not the case.
“The renal staff show care, compassion and respect. They provide friendship to those that sometimes are the only people a kidney patient may see in a week.”
Dr Wu is also recognised by her colleagues for being available to help them upskill and being willing to help her patients.
“She always helps in any way she can, even if it means staying late or being contactable while she is at home.”
“Dr Wu always goes above and beyond for both her patients and her peers. She is always available for any of her peers to assist in upskilling and is always eager to help her patients in any way she can, even if that means staying late or being contactable while she is at home.
“Her cheery personality and willingness to always provide the best care to her patients is awe inspiring. She also provides many services to her peers to facilitate education, even by providing mentorship to students, medical officers of various levels and even nurse practitioners. She is an asset to the health service and an absolute health hero!”
