North Metropolitan Health Service

Celebrating the remarkable career of a women’s healthcare leader, advocate and changemaker, Graeme Boardley. 👏💝

A farewell event was held last week to honour Graeme Boardley as he retired from an extraordinary 42-year career in nursing and midwifery, recognising his compassion, leadership and unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.

Over the years, Graeme has led the introduction of a range of models of care, including waterbirth, midwifery group practice, home birth and visiting rights for privately practising endorsed midwives, all of which has strengthened maternity care options across Western Australia. Most recently his strong passion to providing culturally safe care, saw the introduction of services dedicated to supporting Aboriginal patients.

Known for his willingness to speak up and advocate for family centred services that make a meaningful difference, Graeme has left a lasting impact on women and newborn care and on the generations of families who have benefited from these initiatives.

Graeme was integral in facilitating access to safe, high-quality maternity and healthcare for WA women and newborns during his 24 years at King Edward Memorial Hospital and remains the only male to be appointed as 'matron' in the hospital’s 110-year history.

All the best Graeme, we will miss you!

Celebrating NAIDOC Week across NMHS 🖤💛❤️

Each year, NAIDOC Week is marked across our sites as an opportunity to learn about and honour the deep history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year, under the theme 50 Years of Deadly, our teams took part in a range of activities including Welcome to Country and smoking ceremonies, bush food experiences, cultural workshops, storytelling, music, art activities, and native morning and afternoon teas. These events provided valuable opportunities to share knowledge, strengthen connections and recognise the enduring strength of First Nations cultures.

The week also shone a spotlight on the outstanding contribution of our staff to provide culturally-responsive and respectful services, including BreastScreen WA Senior Aboriginal Health Program Officer Kaylene Bowes-Smith who received the Women and Newborn Health Service NAIDOC Week Recognition Award.

Kaylene was recognised for her dedication to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal women and her leadership of initiatives that help increase participation in breast cancer screening.

Teams at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Osborne Park Hospital brought this year's 50 Years of Deadly theme to life through the inaugural Deadly Doors competition. Congratulations to the Physiotherapy teams, were announced as the winners at both sites.

Thank you to everyone who helped bring this year's NAIDOC Week activities to life and create meaningful opportunities to learn, reflect and connect.

After nearly five decades of dedicated service, we recently farewelled a truly remarkable colleague. 💙

Retirement celebrations were recently held at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH) to recognise Hospital Service Assistant Manager Sharron Pratt, who has dedicated 49 years to supporting patients, staff and services across the hospital.

Sharron has made an incredible contribution to SCGH. Commencing as a Catering Supervisor in 1977, Sharon has shown strong leadership and supported hundreds of staff in patient handling, clinical cleaning and the movement of patients, equipment and supplies throughout the site

Known for her kindness, expertise and unwavering willingness to help, her mantra is always 'how can I help'.

Colleagues across the hospital have come to rely on her knowledge, support and practical advice, which she has generously shared throughout her career.

As Sharron embarks on a well-earned retirement, she leaves behind a lasting legacy and will be greatly missed by everyone who has had the pleasure of working with her.

Before there were modern birthing suites, nursing degree graduates and the Family Birth Centre, there were the generations of nurses and midwives who lived, worked and trained onsite at King Edwards Memorial Hospital 👶

As we count down to King Edward Memorial Hospital's 110th anniversary, we're looking back at some of the milestones that helped shape nursing and midwifery at King Eddies.

📖 1916: A new midwives' training school welcomed 10 trainees.
📖 1934: Trainee nurses received their first wages of £20 per year.
📖 1952: The Agnes Walsh Nurses' Home officially opened, providing on-site accommodation for staff.
📖 1972: The hospital's first male student midwife commenced training.
📖 1976: Registered nurses enrolled in Australia's first nursing degree, with the first graduates completing their degrees in 1979.
📖 1992: The Family Birth Centre opened, becoming WA's first midwifery-led service of its kind offering a home-like setting for low-risk births.
📖 2007: Graeme Boardley became King Eddie's first male 'matron' as Executive Director of Midwifery, Nursing and Patient Support Services.

Do you have a photo from your time working and training at King Eddies?
We'd love to see it. Share it in the comments or send us a direct message 📸