The Kind Side

This episode shares Stella’s personal family journey with community palliative care as they supported her father at home. It highlights the compassionate care, practical support, and dignity the team provided, and how those acts of kindness helped the whole family, including the children. Stella reflects on grief, gratitude, and creating community spaces for mourning, including her writing and loc...

In this episode Frances chats with Caitlyn, a nurse who moved from ICU to community and palliative care. Caitlyn shares her path into nursing, the variety of work in a community health centre, and the skills she brought from inpatient care. They discuss teamwork, visiting patients at home, non-judgmental care, reframing language around patient choices, and practical self-care tips like donating pl...

In this episode of The Kind Side, host Frances sits down with Anna, a dedicated cleaner working in the children's ward of a large hospital. Transitioning from 15 years in retail to hospital cleaning, Anna shares how her new role brings her joy and fulfillment, making her feel valued and appreciated. She talks about her daily routine, the heartwarming interactions with children, families, and staff...

Welcome to another episode of The Kind Side, hosted by Frances, where she sits down with Sarah, a seasoned hospital chaplain. Despite a technical hiccup that led to the loss of their first recording, Sarah graciously returns to share her experiences and wisdom. In this heartfelt conversation, Sarah discusses her unexpected journey into hospital chaplaincy, the significance of active listening, and...

Join Frances in this heartfelt episode of "The Kind Side" as she engages in a poignant conversation with patient Daryl and his wife Lia, reflecting on their journey through cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Daryl shares his personal experience with neck cancer, highlighting the critical role of professional care and the unwavering support from Lia and their family and friends. Delve into t...

Join us as we listen to Margaret narrate her powerful and moving poem that provides insight into the experience of mental illness and hospitalisation. In this poem, Margaret draws on her personal experiences, revealing the resilience and strength found in moments of vulnerability. Through this poem, we gain empathy and a deeper understanding of the patients' journey and the compassionate care they...

Lefta shares her moving story of love and loss with her husband Frank, and the path to healing, including their experiences with the Australian healthcare system and the importance of community support. Biljana, a multicultural health officer, emphasizes the critical role of cancer screening and education within the Macedonian community. This uplifting dialogue highlights the power of volunteering...

In this heartfelt episode, we delve into Mel's inspiring journey of resilience and advocacy following a shocking cancer diagnosis. With a Turkish background and a strong Islamic faith, Mel shares the importance of having spaces within healthcare facilities that allow Muslims to practice their religion and pray five times a day, highlighting its significance not only for patients but also for staff...

Join us for an insightful episode as we delve into the daily workings of surgical day centres and operating theatres, exploring how multidisciplinary teams provide care that is not only safe but also compassionate. Listen to Nicole, a clinical nurse specialist with over 23 years of experience, share her role in the operating theatre, how she mentors and educates staff, and the intricate planning r...

Join us for a heartfelt conversation with Adam, a dedicated nurse working in an emergency department at a large regional hospital. Listen as Adam shares his journey into nursing, exploring the reasons behind his passion for the profession and the crucial role of communication and teamwork in providing care. Discover the unique challenges and the rewarding experiences of working in critical care, a...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Susan, the Secretary of NSW Health, as she opens up about her journey from a nurse in Outback New South Wales to leading a healthcare system with over 180,000 staff and a $35 billion budget. Susan shares her experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of support and teamwork in challenging times. Discover Susan's passion for kindn...

Join us for a special panel discussion celebrating the launch of The Kind Side. Podcast co-creators, healthcare worker Frances and consumer Stacey, ask consumer Ross, ISLHD Chief Executive Margot, ISLHD A/Director of Nursing & Midwifery Dan, and ISLHD Staff Specialist Emergency Medicine Dr. Bishan why kindness in health is important. Ross, a long-time patient, shares his experiences of kindnes...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Donna, one of the many Australians who experienced a stroke in 2020. Four years on, Donna opens up about her near-death experience and the journey that followed. She shares her positive mindset and the transition from recovery to discovery, living with a non-traumatic brain injury. Donna discusses the importance of support groups, the value of connection...

Join host Frances Wood in a remarkable conversation with Karen, a resilient patient at a NSW Health hospital. Despite battling Crohn's disease and undergoing numerous medical treatments for over 20 years, Karen maintains a positive outlook on life. She shares her experiences with intravenous nutrition, living with a stoma bag, and the challenges of frequent hospital visits. Discover how Karen's pe...

Join us on this episode of The Kind Side as we delve into an inspiring conversation with Paul, who shares his story of resilience and recovery after a serious cycling accident. Paul was out on a regular ride when an unexpected incident led him to the hospital with multiple injuries. He opens up about his sudden transition from a healthy, active lifestyle to being an inpatient in the hospital, surr...

Anita was inspired to become a sonographer by an experience she had as a child. Now Anita is hoping to inspire the next generation of puzzle-solving sonographers. Anita joined podcast host Frances Wood on a shift break in the sun at the hospital when she works. She shares her passion for her work, the difference between a sonographer and radiographer, and how she tries to provide patients with a g...

Dan shares his experiences in and perspectives on kindness in health as a Principal Aboriginal Health Worker. Dan started his career in sexual health and now works in chronic care. Dan is passionate about helping Aboriginal communities to improve and maintain their health. He shares some of the reasons why Aboriginal people may feel uncomfortable in hospital and how we can be more welcoming and in...

Charlotte is a pharmacist working at a hospital. She spoke with podcast host Frances during her shift. Charlotte shares why she wanted to become a pharmacist and the journey from studying to working. Charlotte explains how she works with patients, carers, doctors and nurses to ensure medications are used effectively in hospital and on discharge home. Charlotte talks about the time she spent workin...

Edna is a senior doctor who also helps to teach junior doctors. Edna spoke with Frances at the hospital where she works, reflecting on why she wanted to become a doctor and her journey to becoming a staff specialist in medicine. Edna shares how she juggles caring for patients in and out of hospital, with her teaching and family responsibilities. Edna talks about the small acts of kindness she appr...

Lee likes to brighten people's days by smiling and taking the time to have a chat with patients, their loved ones and his colleagues. Lee spoke with Frances during a short break in his shift as a stores officer at a local hospital. Lee shares the important role health care workers like him play in ensuring doctors, nurses, allied health and pharmacy have everything they need to provide safe qualit...

Nick loves being part of a team that cares for aged care patients, especially those with dementia. Nick spoke to Frances before starting his shift as a wardsperson at a local hospital. Nick helps our nurses and doctors however he can, and cares deeply about being a calming reassuring presence for patients with dementia on the ward. Nick talks about what brought him to health and how he actively co...

Nora is a mother-of-four who lives with kidney failure. She spoke with Frances at her chairside while receiving renal dialysis treatment as an outpatient. Nora comes to hospital three times a week for the life-saving treatment and talks about how she juggles her health care with being a mother and a wife whilst also working. Nora shares her Cook Islands culture and faith in God, and how she choose...

Pheobe is passionate about inclusive supportive cancer care. She sat down with podcast host Frances in a quiet room at the cancer care centre where she works. Phoebe is proud to work in administration as part of a team of health professionals caring for people with cancer. Phoebe talks about what it's like to work in health coming from a non-clinical background and how her team has improved wayfin...

Rose fell and broke her leg on a public holiday, relying on the kindness of strangers to support her and her three young children to get help. Rose spoke with podcast host Frances at her hospital bedside whilst recovering from emergency surgery. Rose reflects on her experiences coming to hospital via Ambulance, being cared for in the Emergency Department and on a ward, and managing intense pain. R...

Ross sat down with podcast host Frances at a community health centre after his visit with a wound care nurse. Ross lives with chronic illness and limited mobility. He shares his journey from feeling angry about the challenges he faces, to choosing to live positively and make friends with his health conditions. Ross reflects of his experiences of kindness in hospitals and community health centres o...