Our community

What community means

All of these families have had something to do with St Vinnies over the years, young ones, and when they reach the end.. You don’t want to lose that. It’s part of our story” – John, Lismore resident

Since four Sisters of Charity caught the train up from Sydney to start caring for patients in a farm house in 1921, St Vincent’s Hospital has been woven into the fabric of lives from the Tweed to Tenterfield, Coffs Harbour to Grafton. Through services built to support the needs of the people, the hospital has grown alongside the population.

Now, over a hundred years on, our hospital is undergoing a modernisation, in order to provide the same care for future generations. Through devastating floods, and a problematic pandemic, we support each other, a community which inspires the St Vincent’s core values of Compassion, Respect, Integrity, Courage and Kindness.

There are several ways you can support the community of St Vincent’s Hospital and St Joseph’s Nursing home:

• Support the Friends of St Vincent’s Volunteer group
• Donate to our not-for-profit organisation
• Leave a Bequest to the Hospital
• Join and support the Diocese of Lismore

Services provided by volunteers:

• St Joseph’s Aged Care Facility – Activities with residents such as reading, listening, assisting with feeding, beauty care, bingo, singing, writing and accompanying the residents on outings
• Short Stay Unit – Assisting with paperwork at Reception and helping patients and staff in second stage recovery
• Pre-admissions and Admissions – Clerical and other assistance required for patient admission
• Rehabilitation Unit – Assisting patients with reading and general activities as required
• Administration – Clerical and other administration assistance across the campus
• Day Rehabilitation – Clerical and other assistance as required
• Palliative Care – Supporting patients and staff in various areas including paperwork
• Hospital Wards – Attending to flower arrangements, ‘lolly’ trolley service and providing mealtime assistance
• Laminating and binding
• Craft – Sewing as required
• Chapel & Pastoral care
• Coffee Lounge/Tea Room – Assisting employed staff with general duties
• Secretarial Assistance – Providing assistance with administrative duties in various departments including; marketing, health education, diabetes education, childcare, accounts and pastoral care
• Information Desk – Managing the information desk located in the hospital foyer to meet, greet and direct visitors to the hospital
• Vegetable, Rose and Herb garden – Gardening to ensure fresh produce is available for the coffee lounge and caterers
• Oncology, Renal Dialysis & Endoscopy Units – Providing support to patients and staff
• Stores – Assisting with administration and other duties involved with procurement
• Archives – Assisting with the record keeping for St Vincents Private Hospital
• Shuttle service – Transport visitors around the campus, Monday to Friday from 9am to 2:00pm (excluding public holidays)

The Catholic Gift Shop

Now located on the mezzanine level of Friends Coffee Lounge, located adjacent to the Dalley Street entrance to St Vincent’s Private Hospital Lismore. Open weekdays from 9am to 4pm, it offers books, cards, CDs and quality gifts for all occasions including Weddings, Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, Easter and Christmas. This is a great place to look for children’s gifts and books.

How to get involved

For more information on how to become involved in the volunteer service please contact the coordinator on (02) 6627 9340, via email [email protected] or feel free to visit ‘Friends’ anytime, at St Vincent’s Lismore through the Dalley St entry, in the main foyer.

The Diocese of Lismore

Guiding Healthcare with Faith and Leadership

The Diocese of Lismore is on the far eastern coast of Australia. It is located in Northern New South Wales, stretching from the Queensland border to Laurieton, a distance of approximately 460km. The Diocese is home to 104,581 Catholics.

The Diocese of Lismore is the Trustee and custodian of St Vincent’s Hospital and it’s entities, so it is with the blessing of Bishop Gregory Homeming that we work toward our Vision of heath care excellence in the region.

Employee Payment Review

The purpose of the review

The program ensures all SVL employees are paid correctly in accordance with Enterprise Agreements and workplace laws. It addresses both historical payments and future payroll accuracy.