The College of Emergency Nursing Australasia (CENA), the peak professional association representing emergency nurses across Australia, and the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM), the peak body for emergency medicine in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, are deeply saddened at reports of Ms Dempsey's death.
Our deepest condolences rest with her family, loved ones and colleagues.
The death of Ms Dempsey demonstrates the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our communities.
CENA Victorian Branch President Associate Professor Julia Morphet said, "It is terribly sad to lose a member of our emergency nursing community, under any circumstances."
"Gillian's death is being felt heavily by us all. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and work colleagues who will all be deeply impacted by her loss."
ACEM Victorian Faculty Chair Dr Mya Cubitt said, "We have no words to clearly express our grief at the death of highly respected Melbourne emergency nurse, Gillian Dempsey."
"We offer our deepest condolences to her loved ones, and we offer our shoulders in support to nursing colleagues, who we know are in shock – as we are."
"The last few years have been a terrible period for emergency healthcare workers and Gillian's death is hitting us all hard."
Background:
ACEM is the peak body for emergency medicine in Australia and New Zealand, responsible for training emergency physicians and advancement of professional standards. www.acem.org.au
