Helen Smith, Dunstan Hospital’s last enrolled nurse, has pulled the curtain on her career after 53 years on the job, including 40 years at Dunstan Hospital. 

The 72-year-old, who started and ended her career on the casual roster at Dunstan first began her training as a 19-year-old nurse aide in Cromwell in 1968. 

Her career took her to Hokitika briefly, where she met her late husband Graeme, but Central Otago always called her back. 

She had time off with having a family but nursed on and off over the years she started working at Dunstan Hospital in 1981 and officially retired in November.

Helen Smith at the beginning of her career in 1968. 

Dunstan Hospital Acting Charge Nurse Vincent Ward Tracy Reid says Helen will be missed. 

“It is the end of an era for Dunstan Hospital as she is the last community enrolled nurse employed by the hospital,” Tracy says. 

“Helen had a very practical work ethic and provided exceptional care to the palliative and rehab patients of central Otago. 

“Her knowledge and skills in this area are going to be missed. 

“She has touched on thousands of local residents' lives during her long career as a nurse and has been a valuable member of the nursing team.”

Helen Smith with her tutor, Mrs Ross. 1968.

Helen says she has seen the district change as it grew, and with it, the hospital. 

“There was nowhere else to work back then. We were a 32-bed ward, with 12 long-stay elderly,” she says. 

Back then, she explains, the ratio of enrolled nurses and registered nurses was reversed compared to today. The changes in politics, councils, and health boards all came and went. 

The modern, purpose built Dunstan Hospital facility was extensively refurbished in 2005.

It now includes a 24 acute bed inpatient ward - including a three bed High Dependency Unit - and provides secondary health services to around 25,000 people living in the wider Central Otago and Wanaka regions.

It now employs over 130 staff, but Helen was the last of the enrolled nurses. 

“That’s just a natural thing that happens. I’m the last of the enrolled nurses, as they no longer employ enrolled nurses,” she says. 

“The time will come when they will start to re-employ enrolled nurses. 

“The job is very varied, mainly enrolled nurses work in rehab and the other in palliative care. 

“We would work on getting people up and going, or to then just help them relax and give them energy to do something else more important. 

“And then we were always there to help manage any incidents. It was important we knew where to find stuff. 

“Being there that long, you kind of knew where everything was and how to support everyone.” 

Helen Smith’s farewell afternoon tea at Dunstan Hospital. 

Helen’s niece, Christina Curtin, says Helen was a dedicated wife and mum as well as a nurse, who loves golf and travelled the world with Graeme. 

“She grew up in Cromwell in a large family of four sisters and one brother. 

“She moved back to Clyde when her mum was aging to support her. 

“She has dedicated her nursing career at Dunstan to the rehab and palliative team and also was a health and safety rep.

“Growing up we loved spending time in Clyde with Aunty Helen. Always very welcoming to family and friends alike

“She is looking forward to spending more time on the golf course and holidays with her daughter Michelle and grand-daughter.”

Helen says her retirement plans will surely involve her daughter, who lives in Sumner, as well as her passion for golf. 

“I play golf… it’s not good at the moment,” she jokes. “Sometimes it works and sometimes you think “who is this idiot holding this club?“ It’s a great leveller.

“At this stage I will stay in Central until I can’t, and spend time with my daughter and grand-daughter.”

Photos contributed.