Connection

When the Cancer and Blood centre was built on the rather congested Auckland Hospital site, a covered walkway was provided to connect the new building with the main block of the hospital. This is now the "old main block", as a new hospital block has also been built. Down the hill and to the left, therefore unseen in this view. 

Connection is important. Our system of care sometimes lacks connections, and people get incomplete care. But the connection which is most important for those I see clinically, is connection with others, especially significant others. Most of us can manage most that life and the world throw at us, if we have good connections which provide support, encouragement, understanding and acceptance. Without those connections, everyone struggles, sometimes personfully, and sometimes with despair. 

This bridge could be a metaphor for linking the suffering patient with the connections that will give them the best chance of overcoming the slings and arrows.