Hawkesbury District Health Service's (HDHS) Community Board of Advice (CBOA) Chairperson Brenda Harrold has retired after more than eight years of service to the Hawkesbury community.
Ms Harrold played a pivotal role in shaping and enhancing the hospital's services to the local community, including being instrumental in establishing a chemotherapy unit.
The unit opened in April 2017 and enabled patients to avoid long and tedious trips to receive life-saving treatment and instead receive that care close to home.
HDHS Chief Executive Officer Strephon Billinghurst said the hospital owed a great deal of gratitude to Ms Harrold for her outstanding contribution to the CBOA and the Hawkesbury community.
"Brenda's tremendous commitment to her community has ensured that our consumers have a strong voice in the provision of health services and support we provide," Mr Billinghurst said.
"The partnership with our CBOA is a unique one and ensures that our hospital maintains its commitment and focus to putting the needs of the local region first.
"Brenda has been a passionate advocate for improving the healthcare in Hawkesbury and it has been a pleasure working with her, she will be missed."
First established in 1996, the CBOA is a vital conduit between the Hawkesbury District Health Service (HDHS) and the local community. The Board serves as a 'voice of the people' providing valuable feedback to the health service concerning local health issues and identifying potential gaps in services.
Ms Harrold's list of achievements during her involvement with the CBOA includes the installation of seating throughout the hospital's carpark, offering respite to patients and visitors who found it difficult to walk directly to the hospital's entrance.
She has also been a familiar face at many community events including the annual Cancer Council's Daffodil Day stall which became a regular institution in the hospital's foyer, raising thousands of dollars over the years for cancer research.
In 2016, Brenda received an Order of Australia for her service to the Hawkesbury community.
Brenda said she was proud of her contributions to the hospital and community through her role on the CBOA.
"It has been a privilege to be able to represent the community and help shape and improve the healthcare offerings in the region," she said.
"I was really gratified in being able to work with the hospital to set up the chemotherapy unit and give local residents an alternative to travelling far from home to get care which can be delivered right here in Hawkesbury.
"In the eight and a half years on the CBOA, I missed only one meeting. A record I am proud of.
"I always tried to work as a team member and I will miss all my friends, but I know they will keep up the great work that was started 22 years ago and continue to go from strength to strength."
If you live in the Hawkesbury local government area and would like to contribute to health service planning in the Hawkesbury, you can join the CBOA as a community representative. For further information on how to apply, call Addie Mossop on 4560 5711.
