Patient reflects on how staff kindness shaped his recovery
 

When Adam Smith caught the flu for the first time in his life, he had no idea how dramatically his life was about to change. What began as a seemingly ordinary illness quickly progressed to a severe infection, leading to sepsis. His hands, parts of his arms, his feet and sections of both legs needed to be amputated. 

Adam spent months in hospital. It was a long and painful journey. But throughout that time, it was the small things, he says, that made the biggest difference. 

At the inaugural Sydney Excellence Awards, Adam shared his story with Julie McCrossin AM, reflecting on the care he received and the people who helped him through. 

“Every little thing the staff did for me humanised my experience,” he said. 

 “It made me feel I wasn’t just a body on a bed – I was a person, and they cared for me.” 

He talked about the practical support that made a difference when he felt hopeless for the first time in his life and was separated from family and friends who live on the Central Coast. A modified buzzer allowed him to call for help. Nurses brought him clothes and helped with a haircut when he hadn’t seen his reflection in months. A nurse educator stayed beyond her shift to assist during a painful dressing change. Staff took time to listen, involve him in hospital banter and follow through on the things he needed to recover. Small gestures reminded him he was still himself. 

“If you remember anything today, remember every little thing you do, every word you say, every act of kindness exponentially changes the way recovery happens,” he said to the staff attending the event. 

Professor Paul Torzillo AM, Clinical Director of Critical Care at RPA Hospital, who oversaw Adam’s treatment since his arrival at the hospital, said he was inspired by Adam’s resilience and how he dealt with his treatment and recovery. 

“What a remarkable guy Adam is and continues to be,” Professor Torzillo said. 

“The thing about Adam that most impacts on all of us is not how sick he was and it’s not the severity of the amputations – it's his incredible personal strength and personality.” 

Professor Torzillo also paid tribute to the team of people helped Adam in his recovery. 

“There are at least 100 people who had a major role in getting him better – porters, nurses, occupational therapists, doctors, administrators, hospital staff,” he said. 

Staff were visibly moved hearing Adam speak at the awards. His story was a powerful reminder of the impact that care, respect and kindness have on recovery. We are incredibly proud of our staff and the work they do every day for our patients and our community.