The story behind the photos

Seeing the intense emotions experienced first-hand as the new Nurse Manager for St John of God Bunbury Hospital’s Renal Unit, Kerry Smith was inspired to make the unit feel more welcoming. The results are breathtaking.

11 Oct 2017

11 October 2017

When Kerry was appointed Nurse Manager of the newly expanded Renal Unit in February 2013 – the walls were bright, but bare.

“As the new manager, I started to get to know the patients well as I saw them come for their treatments week after week and soon realised why they shared a special bond with their nurses,” Ms Smith said.

“With the refurbishment complete it was very apparent the newly painted walls looked bright…and bare.

“I had developed a real admiration for the fortitude demonstrated by these patients and a genuine sadness for their ongoing situation. Here they were, week after week, most several times a week fronting up to have their fistula’s connected to their dialysis machine. And once connected, there they stayed for approximately 3 hours.”

With a budget still available for art, an idea formed in Kerry’s mind which slowly took shape after the local camera club jumped on board.

Kerry sought submissions from caregivers, patients and the wider community for digital photographs of Western Australia – fauna, flora, landscapes – which would be mounted on aluminium so it could be easily cleaned and moved.

The 30 best submissions showing some of the best images from around WA now adorn the unit’s walls.

“My aim was to choose photographs patients could look at and lose themselves in, seeing something different each time and perhaps forgetting just for a moment that they were hooked up to a machine for many hours of their lives,” she said.

St John of God Bunbury Chief Executive Officer Mark Grime said the photographs not only lifted spirits in the unit, but also attracted caregivers and community members to see the great imagery

“The resultant images are spectacular. We hope they provide those special patients with a little brightness in their lives,” Mr Grime said.

“I congratulate Kerry and the entire renal unit team on this initiative. It is great to see how a spark of an idea can be developed with support of the community to enhance the patient experience.”