The 2025 Chronicle

SANATORIUM

Written by Sr Yvette McDonald

was implemented to transport injured boys directly past the first-aid room to the San. This system ensured that everyone received the appropriate care quickly and efficiently. Mr Reggie Davidson drove our golf cart on match days and managed our first-aiders with the ease of a seasoned profes sional – what an asset he has been. MEDICATION MANAGEMENT In the second term we welcomed Sr Leisa Albertyne, our ded icated meds sister, to the team. Her expertise in managing Schedule 5 and 6 medications – ordering, packing and pro cessing – has been a tremendous asset. We also introduced a secure drop-off box for medications, which parents can use conveniently after hours or when the staff are busy treating boys. This streamlined process has significantly improved the management of medications and ensured accurate and time ly delivery. It also prevents the storage of scheduled medica tion in the dorms. Sr Leisa also went above and beyond by working extra shifts during home and away matches, and stepped in when staff members were unwell. Her contributions have been invaluable in maintaining seamless operations. To further enhance our services, we now have a locum sister accompanying perma nent staff on away matches, ensuring that the boys are never without medical assistance, even when off campus. All our sisters have also completed the Dispensing Course and will be registered with dispensing licenses, enabling them to provide medication directly at the San. This has been a game changer in legalising sisters’ access to neces sary treatments for boys. REDESIGN I have proposed an exciting redesign for one of our unused toi let and bathroom facilities. The plan has been approved, and the space is to be transformed into a dedicated dispensary. This new dispensary will serve as a secure and professional area for the safekeeping, packing and management of sched uled medications. This change, I believe, will further enhance the efficiency and safety of our medication processes. EXPANDING HORIZONS This year our permanent staff began participating in the D Block Pondoland excursion and the C Block Journey, covering half of these trips. By involving permanent staff in these ad ventures, we have reduced reliance on locums while ensuring continuity of care for the boys. These experiences have been both enriching and enlightening, offering new perspectives on healthcare in different settings. MEMORABLE MOMENTS We see a very different side to boys when they are sick and unhappy, but this year some really funny experiences helped us get to know the boys a little better and gain some insight into how they react in unusual circumstances.

Senior Sister: Sr Yvette McDonald Full-time Nursing Sisters: Sr Sane Ntuli, Sr Mbali Miya, Sr Umme-Haani Arbee Part-time Nursing Sister: Sr Leisa Albertyne San Accounts Administrator: Mrs Jenay Ngcobo Cleaning Staff: Mrs Joyce Nxumalo, Mr Lungelo Shezi As I sit back and reflect on the past year, I am struck by how much we have achieved, learned and grown at the San. Starting my new role in July 2024 brought with it a whirlwind of challenges, opportunities and invaluable lessons. Living and working in the countryside has its unique challenges, especially from a medical perspective, but it has also been deeply reward ing. Teamwork has proven to be the cornerstone of our suc cess, enabling us to navigate the complexities of rural health care and provide the best possible care to the boys. STRUCTURAL CHANGES One of the key changes we implemented this year was restruc turing the clinic to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. We now run four clinics a day at set times, a system designed to encour age the boys to take ownership of their health and seek help in a timely manner. Emergencies after hours continue to be prioritized, and we ensure that anyone in urgent need of care is always seen. Administrative adjustments have also been a significant fo cus. A new duty structure has allowed the staff to work hard during their shifts while enjoying sufficient time off to rest and recover. This balance has been critical in maintaining a high standard of care and preventing burnout. Additionally, we in troduced new uniforms, making our team easily identifiable and presenting a professional image that aligns with the val ues of the school. SKILLS AND EXPERTISE The school has generously supported all the sisters in complet ing the International Trauma and Life Support (ITLS) course, a programme typically undertaken by doctors. This course ex posed us to a range of emergencies that one might encoun ter, equipping us with the knowledge and confidence to handle each case effectively. It has been an invaluable experience, ex panding our expertise and ensuring that we are well prepared for any situation. RUGBY SEASON AND EMERGENCIES The rugby season brought its own set of challenges, keeping us exceptionally busy. Thanks to Dr Ogg’s innovative idea, we transformed our first-aid room into a triage facility. Staffed by two sisters during matches, the facility allowed us to treat inju ries on-site and refer more severe cases to the San for the doc tor’s medical care. For critical emergencies, a golf-cart system

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