One of the most challenging jobs we're profiling in this week's tributes to our fine kaimahi in Allied Health roles, would have to be that of a social worker in the area of oncology.
Anna Tizard is one such hard-working staff member whose job in Te Pūriri o Te Ora – the Cancer and Blood service – one of the busiest services on the Te Toka Tumai campus.
Anna’s role includes the many and varied aspects of caring for patients and whanāu coping with the complexities involved in having cancer treatment.
“It’s incredibly rewarding, but also can be very challenging,” says Anna.” A lot of our patients are not only dealing with cancer – there’s lots of other things going on in their lives, with their health and other situations.
“Just the challenge of physically getting across town to come for treatment and appointments can be huge for some people."
Anna says equity is a big issue in caring for patients of various ethnicities, and it’s one she feels very passionate about. Te Pūriri o Te Ora has a number of equity driven initiatives supporting patients in accessing treatment, including Te Ara Manaaki. I feel a great privilege in being part of a directorate that is so patient and whānau centred.
We can support our patients not only in our outpatient clinic space, but also visit them at home. We work alongside a number of great community services including Hospice, Cancer Society, and Leukaemia and Blood Cancer Foundation.
Our support of people can range from one week to sometimes over a year. It’s a privilege to be part of someone’s journey at such a challenging time and be able to help in any little way we can. There have been a number of patients and whānau over the years that have made a lasting impact, reaffirming why we do what we do.
“I love what I do!”
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