› Pounamu gift from grateful whānau

14 February 2022

A small gathering was held at Burwood Hospital recently to receive with thanks and bless some beautiful pounamu gifted to the Older Persons Health and Rehabilitation (OPH&R) service, in recognition of the aroha and compassion shown by staff to a patient who passed away. The whānau of Camille Vincent presented OPH&R with pounamu which have been framed and placed in two Burwood Hospital service lifts. This is in recognition of these lifts transporting patients to and from clinical areas as part of their health journey, and after they have passed away. The pounamu were gifted to ensure the cultural and spiritual safety of the service lifts and the gathering was an opportunity to receive this taonga from the whānau with thanks. Pou Whiriniki (Cultural Advisor) for OPH&R Ruru Hona liaised with the whānau in receiving the taonga and led a karakia pounamu blessing for the two pounamu and the service lifts. The pounamu were named Te Atapō (Dawn) and Te Ahiahipō (Dusk) to ensure spiritual protection at all times of these spaces for patients and staff throughout the day and night. The whānau said they were grateful for the compassion and aroha shown to their loved one during that time and for the care and support provided by all our staff to patients in our care.

A third pounamu was also given to all OPH&R staff which has been framed along with a photo of Camille and placed in the hallway just outside Ward FG. It was blessed with a karakia.

Pou Whiriniki (Cultural Advisor) for OPH&R Ruru Hona at the blessing for the pounamu The pounamu which have been placed in two Burwood Hospital service lifts