Elton Gounden was 10 years old when his father had a massive stroke that left him paralysed in his right arm and unable to speak. Four years later his father passed away, leaving a 14-year-old Elton deeply influenced by his family’s dedication to nursing. His sister-in-law and her daughters were all nurses, so Elton grew up watching his cousins practice nursing procedures. This nurturing environment made it almost inevitable that he would follow in their footsteps.
Shortly after joining Life Chatsmed Garden Hospital as an enrolled nurse, he discovered his passion for the fast-paced and intense environment of trauma and emergency nursing, and he has not looked back since. In 2022, Elton moved to Life Westville Hospital as the Orthopaedic Ward Unit Manager. In the same year, his mother suffered a stroke that left her bedridden and reliant on a feeding tube.
“I had to relive it all again,” Elton says.
After he took over as Unit Manager of the Emergency Unit in March 2023, Elton was in a position to help others who suffer from a stroke and improve clinical outcomes.
A journey of personal loss and professional success
In his capacity as hospital manager, Ishan Sewpersad brings a vibrant energy and enthusiasm. Angels consultant Maxeen Murugan quickly recognised his passion for leading a successful team after Ishan attended a multi-disciplinary stroke meeting to gain first-hand insights on stroke management. Ishan's presence at the meeting conveyed a positive message to the clinical staff of the importance of improving stroke care, says Maxeen. “I could see that he was invested in listening and had a desire to make a difference.”
Ishan, a chartered accountant, had never envisioned hospital management as part of his career path. However, his perspective shifted dramatically in 2021 when he lost his mother to a brain tumour. During her month-long stay at Life Entabeni Hospital, he witnessed firsthand the profound impact of compassionate patient care. The hospital team’s empathy and dedication left an indelible mark on him, especially the leadership of Bhaviksha Maharaj, the hospital manager at the time.
This journey, marked by personal loss and the aspiration to improve patient outcomes, led him to embrace the role of hospital manager, where he could combine his financial expertise with a heartfelt commitment to Life Healthcare’s purpose of making life better.
He says, “Hospital management would be a massive responsibility, but it was an opportunity to make a difference – for the staff, for the management team, for the patients. In typical financial leadership roles, you can make a difference to the company that you work for, but as hospital manager you can make a difference in people’s lives.” he said
After two years in the role as hospital manager at Life Chatsmed Garden Hospital, he was promoted to his current position. Six months later, Life Westville Hospital’s commitment to enhancing patient outcomes led them to winning a WSO Angels diamond award.
Paving the way for success
Elton remembers the first time Maxeen showed him how to register their stroke cases in the stroke care improvement registry, RES-Q, without which hospitals cannot be considered for an Angels Award.
“The first patients captured took 20 minutes each,” he says. “Maxeen said I would get used to it, that it would become easier, but I told her it was taking too long. I am a manager who loves to be on the floor, not behind a computer. So, at first, I was concerned the approach would not be successful.”
For Ishan, the RES-Q dashboard with its real-time feedback and clear metrics was a significant advantage. Determined to understand how they could meet the key deliverables, he meticulously analysed the first-quarter results. “Here was all the information needed to identify the gaps, determine where there were opportunities to improve and make any necessary changes,” he says.
With the hospital manager overseeing treatment times and processes, it was clear to everyone that optimising stroke care was a priority.
Finding their ‘why’
Elton supported the hospital management’s commitment to enhance stroke care and committed to succeeding. Through Ishan’s encouragement and Maxeen’s advice he was able to put the plans into action. “The support from management was extremely encouraging,” he says. “Ishan’s leadership made me realise I had what it takes to make the changes needed to improve patient stroke outcomes.”
Understanding the significant positive impact of the changes needed meant that Elton and his team not only knew what to do, but they also understood the “why” behind their actions. This collective understanding fostered a unified drive for success. Everyone, from the emergency unit staff and doctors to the neurologists, lab technician, and radiologists, was motivated and aligned with the common goal. This shared purpose and teamwork ensured that every department worked seamlessly together, enhancing patient care and outcomes.
This was a turning point for Elton personally. Inspired by the team and leadership, he has been able to connect the dots between professional and personal life, a journey which has transformed him.
“I have definitely grown both in my profession and as a person,” he says. “I am deeply committed to achieving the best outcomes for my patients. I am excited to see Life Westville Hospital recognised globally for our stroke management outcomes.”
What Elton and Ishan share is a strong drive for excellence and success. They both emphasise that they are aiming for clinical excellence in patient care delivery. Ishan says, “It starts with education and awareness to our community – it’s important for patients to understand that our emergency unit is fully prepared for stroke care in alignment with global best practice.”
