Patients living with impaired kidney function require dialysis – a particular type of treatment that helps their body remove extra fluid and waste products from their blood when their kidneys are unable to.
Instrumental to that treatment is Andrea Sutton, the Nurse Unit Manager of the Dialysis and Chemotherapy Unit at Rosebud Hospital.
Managing the care of hundreds of patients who come to Rosebud Hospital for haemodialysis and chemotherapy, Andrea’s dedication and leadership means we’re able to provide greater access to treatment for people living on the southern Mornington Peninsula.
Starting her career as a dialysis nurse 20 years ago, after making the move from the United Kingdom, it wasn’t until 2017 that Andrea found her calling at Rosebud Hospital, lured by the charm of the newly launched satellite unit which offered a closer, heartfelt connection with her patients.
“It’s more personal,” says Andrea. “You get to know your patients because they stay with you. In the acute setting, dialysis patients don’t stay at one location, they come and then get dispersed elsewhere.”
“The fact that patients can receive all of their treatment at Rosebud Hospital with the same team, means a lot to them, and it means we get to know them well.”
Andrea’s leadership at Rosebud Hospital is all about combining her expertise with genuine care, ensuring patients receive both top-notch medical treatment and a comforting environment.
Starting her day at 6:30am, Andrea is often the first through the door where she orchestrates the unit’s operations, ensuring her team and the unit can accommodate for the 18 patients scheduled for scheduled dialysis that day.
“Dialysis patients see each other three times a week,” says Andrea. “They start to build relationships, so we try and keep them together as much as possible to give them social interactions that many people on dialysis or chemotherapy may not receive.”
“We try to make treatment fun and comfortable,” she adds. “We do a lot of extra curriculum activities such as massage and art therapy or celebrate special occasions by dressing up in a theme.”
“Our new chairs and pressure relieving cushions, as well as generous donations of blankets and quilts from community groups go a long way to make patients feel extra comfy, which is lovely.”
Andrea is proud to be working with a group of “very professional” colleagues, who are all committed upholding patient comfort to ensure they provide world-class care to those who require regular on-going treatments.
Outside of work, Andrea is a Lego master, while not yet having competed on the show, her Lego building skills are on full display in her office, and at home, with her greatest masterpiece being the 4080-piece Disney Castle Lego set.