Red Cross Honours 50 Dedicated Employees at Long Service Awards | Western Cape Government

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Red Cross Honours 50 Dedicated Employees at Long Service Awards

8 December 2014

Dedicated employees, who have been working for Western Cape Government Health for 20, 30 and 40 years, were honoured at a special Long Service Awards ceremony at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital on 8 December 2014.

Each of the recipients has dedicated between 20 and 40 years of their lives to the public service and was recognised for their uninterrupted service and the significant impact they have had on service delivery within the public service.

This year 50 employees received long service awards - 27 staff members were awarded for 20 years, 20 staff members for 30 years and 3 staff members for 40 years of service.

Prof. Craig Househam, Western Cape Head of Health, said: “It is a great honour to be presenting these awards today. These awards are evident to the fact that experience can never be bought. Your continued commitment and execution of your tasks, give form and shape to the vision and mission of the hospital and the Western Cape Department of Health.”

The longest serving staff member at the ceremony was Sandra Roodt, Head of Nursing at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. She started her career in the public service on 1 January 1974 at Tygerberg Hospital, while still being a student at the University of the Western Cape. She graduated in 1978 and was awarded the top academic student of her class.

Roodt spent 32 year of her career at Tygerberg Hospital, rotating through many areas within the hospital, but her career highlights include working in the Trauma Unit at its busiest times, the setting up of the Infection Prevention and Control Unit at Tygerberg Hospital and achieving the internationally recognised status of Baby-Friendly Hospital.

In 2006, Roodt was appointed as Head of Nursing at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. She has embraced the culture of the hospital and is often involved in planning strategies to improve patient experience.

At this stage in her career, she is mentoring others to grow and lead by providing encouragement and guidance, while they equip themselves with the necessary skills and self-confidence to succeed.

Together, the award recipients reflect the wide range of services provided and the expertise and commitment of the workforce, which play an important role in patients receiving excellent care and ultimately improving the patient’s experience.

Media Enquiries: 

Angelique Jordaan
Communications Officer: Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital
Tel: 021 658 5448
E-mail: Angelique.Jordaan@westerncape.gov.za