Martin Bowles, Calvary national chief executive, and Ross Hawkins, Calvary ACT regional CEO, published an open letter to Calvary Public Hospital (now Canberra North Hospital) staff on Thursday 29 June.
This Sunday [2 July] marks the end of an era for Calvary. We have been a trusted healthcare provider for public patients in the ACT for 44 years, providing care from birth to end of life, and everything in between.
Since Calvary Public Hospital Bruce opened its doors in 1979, we have been there for significant moments in the lives of many patients and their loved ones.
We have delivered more than 55,000 babies, with multiple generations of families choosing to birth at our hospital. For many, our emergency department has given them critical care when needed. For others we have provided long-term care for complex illnesses.
At Clare Holland House, where we are recognised nationally for supporting patients with specialist palliative care since 2001, we have helped patients to achieve dignity, comfort and maximise the quality of life as they progressed into end of life. Providing care to the Canberra community is a privilege and we thank the community for entrusting us with their health and care needs.
Calvary Public Hospital Bruce and Clare Holland House are much more than bricks and mortar. They are representative of the Calvary values. It is our staff who have lived our Mission of “being for others” with their dedication to treat the patient in front of them.
Calvary’s achievements are a reflection of their compassionate commitments, and all staff should be incredibly proud of their legacy in public healthcare in the ACT.
The impact of Calvary staff, past and present, upon the lives of many Canberrans has been made clear in recent weeks with the outpouring of public support we have received. Many have referenced the ‘Calvary culture’, and we agree there is something incredibly special about how we operate in Canberra. We hope the staff carry that Calvary spirit forward.
To those who are transitioning to their new workplace in public health, we wish you all the best and look forward to continuing to work with you when our services interact at Calvary’s Bruce Private Hospital, John James Hospital, Haydon Residential Aged Care and our home care services.
