The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) has launched a podcast titled ‘The Kind Side - stories from NSW Health,’ which focuses on kindness and positive experiences in hospitals and healthcare facilities across New South Wales.

The 15 episodes illuminate small acts of kindness by staff,  patients, families, healthcare workers, and the broader community. The podcast is available for free on major audio streaming platforms. 

Developed by ISLHD’s Quality and Accreditation Officers, Frances Wood, in collaboration with consumer leader Stacey Lewis, the podcast features brief interviews showcasing diverse lived experiences of people in the healthcare system.

It captures firsthand accounts from patients and carers, which illustrate how small acts of kindness can improve the healthcare journey.

“I’ve been listening to ‘The Kind Side’ podcast on Spotify between my shifts at the [Shellharbour] hospital, and it's been truly uplifting to hear the stories of compassion and kindness during difficult times,” says Hailee, a local nurse. 

The project was made possible through KINDLAB, a platform promoting kindness-driven innovations in healthcare.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said, “In NSW we are fortunate to have dedicated health professionals who prioritise not only quality care but also kindness and compassion.”

Each episode of the podcast ends with suggestions on promoting kindness in healthcare, which aim to inspire positive behaviours through practical examples.” 

“While ‘contagious’ isn’t a term we often use positively in health, I believe that small acts of kindness are truly contagious,” says Wood. 

You can join The Kind Side community by listening to and sharing the podcast, by facilitating a listening and reflection wellness centre with consumers or health care workers, or by connecting creators with people to interview.