For sixty-five years I had little contact with hospitals. I did spend a week or so in Hawke’s Bay Hospital sorting out a blood pressure problem. But apart from that, and being born of course, I have steered well clear of needing hospital treatment. But then about five years ago all that changed. I became a hospital regular.

I won’t bore you with the range of problems that have seen me admitted to hospitals in Waitakere, North Shore and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.  In six years I have been admitted twelve times. Obviously the most unusual was my visit to the German Saudi Hospital in Jeddah. That was because a nail went through the sole of my shoe and poisoned my foot. Today I visit the Waitemata Health Board Apollo Road clinic each week. The staff there are in the process of sorting out a problem with my kidneys.

But there is a common feature that I want to tell you about. All three hospitals employ an amazing number of nurses from the Philippines. The world it seems is receiving most of its health care from Philippine trained nurses. And I am very pleased that is the case. The care I received in Jeddah from a Philippines trained nurse saved me from the risk of serious blood poisoning that could have put my foot at risk. Currently there are about 186,000 actively practising registered nurses in the Philippines; a further 280,000 Philippine-trained nurses are working abroad. From just over 10,000 in 2001, the number of Filipinos in New Zealand increased to more than 40,347 in 2013 (the last census published), a significant number of whom were nurses and engineers. Whoever in the Philippines is providing their training is doing a very good job.

I noticed an interesting article in the New Zealand Nursing Review. This is what it said about the training nurses receive in the Philippines.

For three reasons I could not agree more. The efficiency of Philippine trained nurses provides confidence that they know what they are doing. They treat me as an individual; always remembering and calling me by my first name and they bring an amazing amount of humour to their job. It all goes to produce health care of the highest order; efficient, individual and fun.

I can’t remember the names of all the nurses at the Apollo Clinic. But those I do remember are Angie, Riza, Filbert, Jacque and Genalyn. And what an amazing group that is. They tease me mercilessly. Telling me that they will be charging a five dollar nursing fee to park my car. Explaining that they were actually employed as cleaners but working complicated medical equipment looked more fun than a bucket and broom. Asking when I am going to let them swim in the National Championships with Eyad.

But they can also snap out of their fun mode in a heartbeat. The other day my blood pressure dropped to a seriously low level. Quick as lighting the nurses were all business, altering the machine, checking and double checking my recovery. Later they even wheeled a blood pressure machine out to the car to make sure I was fit to drive home.

I especially appreciate the time each nurse takes to explain what’s happening to me. Sounds silly but it is reassuring to know what’s going on and to know that they know so much about my treatment. .

New Zealand is very fortunate to have a well-run and free National Health Service. I have never found the attention I receive wanting in any way. Irrespective of nationality the nursing has been first class. However it seems to me that New Zealand is especially fortunate that some highly qualified nurses from the Philippines chose to make New Zealand their home. Thank you for coming here and thank you for your care.