For patients receiving dialysis, treatment becomes more than just a medical appointment – it becomes part of life.
For Hermanus Hulsen, a patient receiving haemodialysis at Northern Health’s Mernda Community Hospital, that experience became something worth writing about.
Moved by the care, compassion, and support he has received from the Mernda dialysis team, Hermanus recently shared a handwritten poem expressing his gratitude for the staff who have helped make his treatment journey a positive one.
In an email accompanying the poem, Hermanus wrote: “Last Friday, I was impressed once again when staff and nurses addressed a concern I had. Their actions created confidence and support within me that gave me the desire to express my gratitude for their actions.”
For the Mernda team, it was a touching reminder of the impact compassionate care can have.
The Mernda dialysis service opened in January 2026 as part of Northern Health’s expanding dialysis network, with eight treatment chairs supporting patients requiring ongoing haemodialysis closer to home.
With most patients living locally, the service was established to improve access to care while creating a welcoming and supportive environment for people undergoing long-term treatment.
Joy Black, Nurse Unit Manager, said the nature of dialysis care means relationships between staff and patients often become incredibly meaningful.
“Dialysis is not a one-off interaction, our patients spend many hours with us each week, often over many years, so trust, compassion and connection are incredibly important,” Joy said.
“Our team has worked hard to create an environment where patients feel safe, supported and genuinely cared for.”
“The fact that Hermanus felt moved to express his gratitude through poetry is incredibly special and speaks to the relationships our staff build every day.”
His poem, Alice of Dialysis Land, beautifully captures the experience of care through the eyes of a patient.
She waits for you with a bright smile
just like she has been ready for a while.
First, she weighs you on the scales to know
how much water in your body has to go.
She guides you to one of the medical chairs
inspires confidence and shows she cares.
Reading and entering from screens
what your kidney requires it seems
She is confident and yet carefully
places your arm on the pillow thoughtfully.
letting you know when the needles enter the fistula
First the skin then the vein then the artery and Hallelujah.
Frowning, visualising, and great focus
the needle, it goes in no hocus pocus.
None or little pain it goes in it seems
and certainly without a flinch or any scream.
The dialyser tubes and syringes connected first hand
she keeps smiling and shows she understand
she knows what it is like for the next five hours
lying still and letting it run for all these hours
Alice of Dialysis Land proves she can be a professional
and smile be kind and care for you in your cubical
Dialyses maintains your current life for years
especially with an Alice of dialysis who certainly cares.
For Hermanus, the care he received clearly left a lasting impression.
As he prepares to relocate to Ararat to be closer to family, his words leave behind a meaningful tribute to the team who cared for him.
Stories like this are a powerful reminder that healthcare is not only about treatment – it is also about human connection, kindness, and the moments that make patients feel seen, heard, and supported.