No gong – but Amanda still feels like a winner When Royal North Shore Hospital Pharmacy Technician Amanda Pollak was she said. “I’ve done many different
patients – no one comes to hospital for fun,” she said. “Our job is to help make sure patients have access to the medications they need, either dispensed to the patient or supplied through the ADC. Pharmacy assistants and technicians make sure this gets done safely and efficiently because at the end of the day we’re here for the patient.” “I also genuinely enjoy spending time with people from my department – learning from them, working with them, teaching them – they’re very supportive.”
roles within our department, learnt different processes and developed management skills which prepared me for my current role.” Amanda’s can-do attitude held her in good stead last year, when she helped Northern Sydney Local Health District roll out the COVID-19 vaccine. “I really enjoyed that because I was making a difference. At a time that was really very hard for a lot of people in different ways – I felt like I was able to make things a little bit easier,” she said. “I’d go home and think ‘I’m exhausted, but I’ve really made a difference today’ and that’s really important.” In fact – there is only one thing Amanda cannot do; choose the favourite part of her job. “One of the things I like the most is that I am helping
treating local residents with Parkinson’s disease or those suspected of having the illness. The clinic has seen 50 patients with 68 neurologist follow ups, 89 nurse follow ups, and three patients commenced on advanced therapy. The clinic was a first for Hornsby when it opened this time last year with neurologists and a dedicated Parkinson’s disease nurse seeing patients. Parkinson’s Clinical Nurse Consultant Suliana Manuofetoa said the team has nominated as a finalist in the Excellence in Allied Health Awards, it’s fair to say she was happy. “It was a total surprise – I didn’t even know, but it was very exciting,” she said. “I felt elated – I felt really honoured and special.” While Amanda did not go on to take out the Technician of the Year category, it was a proud moment for her and the department which has helped foster her talent and enthusiasm. Her current position as the automatic dispensing cabinet (ADC) manager used around the hospital, is the latest in a string of roles Amanda has held since starting as an assistant at the hospital 10 years ago. “This is a really good department to grow in – there’s lots of opportunity,”
RNSH Pharmacy Technician Amanda Pollak
Hornsby’s Parkinson’s disease clinic celebrates one year One year on from its opening and Hornsby Hospital’s neurology Parkinson’s disease outpatient clinic is busy been receiving great feedback from patients and their carers about the service. “The Hornsby Ku-ring-gai district has the highest
number of people living with Parkinson’s in NSW,” Suliana said. “It’s important for people living with Parkinson’s disease and their carers to know they are not alone. “There are many support services available, including our clinic and Parkinson’s rehabilitation clinic, that will enable people living with Parkinson’s disease to live well and improve their quality of life.” The clinic can diagnose Parkinson’s disease in new patients, conduct physical
Some of the PD clinic team outside Hornsby Hospital
examinations, check medications and update treatment plans. The clinic also provides access to highly advanced Parkinson’s therapies, and complements the existing Parkinson’s rehabilitation clinic at the hospital.
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