It’s time to go, says Sally

Mention the word retirement to Sally Davies and she quickly responds by saying she is still working a day a week but come December that will be it. 

Then she will give up the practising certificate she first gained in 1970 and leave the job she has had at Te Awamutu Medical Centre since 1977. 

Those 47 years providing primary nursing care to thousands of people in the community makes her special among the Pinnacle Midlands Health Network's general practices throughout the North Island. 

She will have turned 76 by then and the first thing she is going to do is join a Mahjong group because some of her friends play and it sounds like fun while she will continue to play golf at Te Awamutu Golf Club, coach hockey teams and look after her big garden. 

Sally’s work at the medical centre has changed over the years but one constant is her commitment to changing patients’ lifestyles and health outlooks, said medical centre general manager Wayne Lim. 

“She has provided continuous service in that role ever since, with no interruptions. This in itself is the most amazing achievement,” he said, but it was her work in diabetes care which stands out. 

“Sally is by far our most senior and experienced diabetes support nurse and has been a health champion for literally thousands of our diabetic patients over the years.” 

When she talked retirement this time last year, Wayne and the other directors asked if she would stay on another year doing one day a week and mentor other members of the nursing team. 

“In this way her influence is far reaching and has been an ever-present layer of wisdom and support underpinning the care provided by our nurse team for decades,” said Wayne. 

Sally said there had been many changes in that time but the biggest were the extra duties practice nurses had taken on. 

“Their repertoire now includes cervical smear taking, sexual health care, intravenous therapy, well child assessment, cardiac risk assessment and management of long-term conditions particularly in diabetes.   

“There is a big emphasis on professional development with some of us doing post graduate education and some working towards nurse practitioner status,” she said. 

There had also been a massive shift to disease prevention resulting in an increase in the number of practice nurses. 

She is concerned nurses and GPs may lose their generalists skills with the advent of fracture, respiratory and diabetes clinics. She gives the example of a damaged finger or toenail. 

In the past, a generalist would remove the nail, dress the wound and the nail bed would heal nicely. 

Now the patient might go to a plastics clinic or hand specialist. 

“I am so lucky to have worked with fantastic doctors, hardworking receptionists as well as wonderful nurses. It is an honour to have worked alongside such visionary people as Ian Forbes and Mary Ballantyne,” said Sally.  

And she praised Wayne Lim and nurse lead Janet Johnson as “very good leaders who continue to steer us into the future.” 

Sally might be reconsidering her decision if her golf does not improve. The following day after our interview she lost her match at Te Awamutu on the 15th hole, an early day in the clubhouse for her.  

Perhaps there will be more time instead for husband Ray, children Bruce and Rachel – who followed her mother into nursing and is a practice nurse on Waiheke Island – and five grandchildren. 

Te Awamutu Medical Centre was established in 1972 and is the longest serving and largest medical clinic in the town with more than 14,500 enrolled patients, a team of 18 general practitioners, a roster of visiting medical specialists and a total staff of 60 plus.