A NEW program in the Canberra Hospital’s emergency department will see volunteers providing emotional support to patients.

For 12 weeks, the Health Directorate has run a pilot program that included 28 volunteers who, in three-hour shifts, worked in the emergency department, as support to patients in the waiting room.

In total, 750 hours of volunteer time has been invested in the program, affecting about 3350 patients.

Hailed a success by Chief Minister and Minister for Health Katy Gallagher, the program will now be a permanent service offered by the hospital.

Mary-Anne Kitchen was one of the volunteers who took part in the pilot program.

“It’s just about being present in the waiting room,” she said.

“Appeasing people, delaying their fears and supporting them, whether it’s holding their hand, making them a cup of coffee or tea, or getting them a blanket or pillow.”

She said about 20 patients will come through the emergency department on a typical shift, with various different illnesses and injuries.

“Motor vehicle accidents, work injuries, people who can’t get into a GP or don’t have a GP,” she said.

Mary-Anne said the services really provide added support and care to what the emergency department already offers.

“It takes the edge off, people often suffer some anxiety,” she said.

“We provide a link between the doctors and nurses, and the patient.”

Health Directorate volunteer manager Amanda Mironow said people of all ages have taken part in the program.

“Some of our volunteers are younger people who are studying nursing, medicine, psychology and their reasoning is to look at the hospital system while they have a true passion to help,” she said.

Volunteers received 10 hours of  corporate and volunteer orientation including an orientation with Health Directorate director-general Dr Peggy Brown and an orientation within the emergency department.

The orientation included mandatory training in infection control, work place safety, fire and emergency, child protection and manual handling.

Amanda said the Health Directorate treats volunteer staff the same way as they would with permanent staff.

“We want people to feel like they are part of the group,” Amanda said.

“We are here to support volunteers and for volunteers to learn new skills for life.”

The program has attracted 18 new volunteers with two of the new volunteers, people who had experienced the service first-hand at the emergency department.

More information at www.health.act.gov.au