#YourStory: Dynamic Sister Leaigh chats to the NEWS
In 1978, Sister Leigh finished her nursing degree in KwaZulu-Natal, before moving up to Johannesburg in 1979.
Sister Leigh has been the caring hands behind the treatment of patients at the Edenvale Care Centre Hospice since 2006.
“I always wanted to be a nursing sister. My mother was a nursing sister so I basically grew up in a medical family,” said Sister Leigh.
In 1978, Sister Leigh finished her nursing degree in KwaZulu-Natal, before moving up to Johannesburg in 1979.
Throughout her career, Sister Leigh, who also speaks fluent Zulu, has always tried to keep her talents where they are most needed – in state hospitals.
“I’ve always been with the people who have nothing. The poorest of the poor,” she said.
In 2006, she was appointed to the Edenvale Care Centre, which at the time dealt only with terminally ill HIV/Aids and Tuberculosis patients.
“With the help of the Department of Health, I was able to change the centre to a hospice for all terminally ill patients,” she said.
“Currently we have the biggest disease profile of any hospice. We are funded by the Department of Health and donations from the community,” said Sister Leigh.
The centre also changed from an 11 bed ward to a 13 bed ward with two beds for high care patients.
The Edenvale Care Centre Hospice receives patients from nine provincial hospitals in an area stretching from Pretoria to Heidelberg
“Some patients who arrived here refused to be brought inside, telling the nurses they do not have money for a private facility. We are by no means a private facility but we have a beautiful facility,” she said.
Sister Leigh and her team treat patients from ages 12 to 69 years old.
Sadly, 99 percent of the cancer patients treated at the hospice die at the facility, while many of the youngsters brought in with HIV/Aids and Tuberculosis are well enough after their 21 days of treatment that they are able to leave.
“Recently, for the first time in all my years at the facility, we recorded a higher number of discharges than deaths,” she said delightedly.
Sister Leigh lives in Edenvale, not far from the hospice and her job keeps her busy.
In fact, the last time she was able to go on leave was in 2010.
“It is a stressful job but I am able to cope so well only because of my wonderful staff.”
While providing 24 hour care to the patients, Sister Leigh also competently trains students from two nursing collages.
“When the youngsters come here they know nothing, but they leave with a world of experience,” she said.
In her down time, Sister Leigh enjoys socialising with her friends and practising her bowls.
#YourStory
Check out other #YourStory articles:
#YourStory – Meet Mosesi, an activist at heart
#YourStory: Station congratulates detective on conviction
#YourStory – Dr Amanda shares her passion for pets
#YourStory – Tears and joy of working at the SPCA
#YourStory – Peering into the life of a fireman
#YourStory- Quick-chat with Sebenza SAPS station commander
#YourStory – One-on-one with Sergeant Sharon Mahamba-Tsotsotso
#YourStory – The Angel of Bedfordview
