This year is the World Health Organisation’s International Year of the Nurse and Midwife. St Vincent’s Private Hospital Werribee’s general manager and director of clinical services, Libby Fifis, who started out her career as a theatre nurse, chats with Alesha Capone.

Did you work there previously in a different role, before becoming general manager and director of clinical services?
I actually started my nurse management career at St Vincent’s Private in East Melbourne some 20 years ago. Since then I’ve had the privilege of working in both public and private health sectors across metropolitan and rural Victoria. My most recent role was as CEO at Stawell Regional Health. Returning to the St Vincent’s family feels very much like coming home.

What are your main tasks as general manager and director of clinical services?
My role is ultimately responsible for ensuring patients accessing our broad range of clinical services (Maternity, Surgical, Medical and Rehabilitation) receive the highest possible quality care and an optimum patient experience. As the most senior nurse at St Vincent’s Private Werribee, the role encompasses the professional responsibility for our nursing and midwifery teams.

Being the World Health Organisation’s International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, is there anything you would like to say to the community about the roles that nurses and midwives play in society?
As a nurse, I’m delighted that the World Health Organisation has claimed 2020 as the year of the Nurse and Midwife. Nurses and midwives play a vital role in the provision of healthcare in acute, community and aged care settings. It is a pleasure to witness our team of talented St Vincent Private nurses and midwives delivering on our mission to provide compassionate and innovative care and enabling hope for those we serve. The World Health organisation predicts another 9 million nurses will be needed to achieve universal health coverage by 2030. As such there has never been a better time to consider a rewarding and flexible career as a nurse or midwife.