Volunteers

Volunteering is an opportunity to serve, grow, learn, make new friends, exchange ideas and feel needed. It offers people the chance to use existing skills and gain experience in health care work situations.

Volunteers add an extra dimension to the care and service provided to patients and visitors, by hospital staff. With the ongoing dedication and willingness that our Volunteers have towards their designated duties they have become an integral part of the running of our hospitals - all happily giving their “Gift of Time”.

There are 123 Volunteers at Whangarei Hospital who undertake a variety of roles around the hospital. Kaitaia Hospital has 14 volunteers meeting and greeting patients and visitors as well as assisting people on the inter-hospital bus. Bay of Islands Hospital has 4 Volunteers who weekly distribute library books and update magazines in the wards

We are also honoured to have the support of countless individuals, clubs and organisations from within the community who donate knitted items, toys and blankets for our patients. And then there are the Meals on Wheels volunteers who do a wonderful job in the community.

Our hospitals welcome new volunteers. We provide training and ongoing support to enable our Volunteers to be confident and to enjoy their role. Whilst on duty, our Volunteers are responsible to the Volunteer Coordinator or a designated staff member.

If selected, a trial period of one month and a minimum commitment of six months is expected.

Hospital Volunteers must be:

• Friendly
• Responsible and dependable
• Have a positive attitude to patients, visitors and staff
• Be culturally sensitive
• Be willing to accept hospital policies and procedures
• Be physically fit for the position

Areas that Volunteers work in at Whangarei Hospital:

• Medical Library
• Renal Unit
• Children’s Ward Playroom
• Hospital Shuttlebug
• Chaplaincy services
• Northland Medical Museum
• Meet and Greet Service
• Emergency Department and ICU Support
• Snack Trolley
• Physiotherapy Pool
• Book Trolley
• Flower Service
• Grommet Blitz Service
• Diabetes Clinic

For more information contact:
Rose Armstrong
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR,
Ph: 09 430 4101 Ext 7802
Email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

This is what some of our Volunteers have to say about their role ….

“I really enjoy coming here. I’m really only making cups of tea and talking to people which is no big deal, but I think it’s nice for the patients just having someone there”
Stewart Bowden – Emergency Department Volunteer

“I love what I do as I love being with people and if I can help someone so much the better. After all smiles are free”
Jo Wyatt – Meet and Greet Volunteer

“The staff are all so lovely. The time goes so fast, and I really enjoy it because I know I’m out doing something useful, rather than staying at home.”
Rosemary Rundlett – Medical Library

“I enjoy the company of the front line staff at reception. Volunteering gets me out of my house for part of a day. I love the communication with the clients, especially the elderly”
Vicki Smith – Meet and Greet Volunteer