Brenda Hutchinson: Thanks a Million!
Brenda Hutchinson saw how quickly COVID-19 took hold in vulnerable aged care facilities in other states and was determined not to let the same thing happen at St Pauls Lutheran Homes Hahndorf.
The 61-year-old hospitality manager, who has worked at the facility for more than 20 years, helped implement quick changes that ensured the health and safety of all the elderly residents.
She has been nominated in the Thanks a Million campaign by her colleague Jennifer Neal for the role she played keeping COVID-19 from their door.
“Brenda went above and beyond to ensure the whole facility was spotless and Covid-ready in case of an outbreak,” Neal said.
“She really did make a remarkable difference by making sure all the residents and staff were clean, happy and safe in a really difficult time.”
A humble Hutchinson who said she was only doing her job, had only days to help implement changes in the kitchen, laundry and general cleanliness of the facility.
“When we went into lockdown, the main thing was to make sure the residents were safe,” she said. “In the kitchen, for example, we started using disposable plates and cutlery so there would be no risk of infection through re-use and more staff had to be put on to help keep the place clean.”
But Hutchinson said while the practical elements were important to get right, she also paid more attention to the human element, talking to residents more to help them understand what the changes were for and assuring them they were safe.