Nurse Navigator positions to become permanent
Nurse Navigators are an important part of the healthcare system and the government has announced it will commit to funding to make these jobs permanent.
Redlands Coast
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REDLAND Hospital is celebrating its Nurse Navigators with the announcement that Tuesday’s State Budget will make 400 of the positions permanent across the state.
The hospital currently has two Nurse Navigators, one for Dementia and Delirium, and one for Complex Clients.
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Nurse Navigator Anne Marie Daly said her role was to assist people who lived with dementia to navigate through the health system.
“I am the first point of contact for patients for patients or their family and carers to assist them in linking with the appropriate services and managing any barriers to their care,” she said.
“I am able to work with patients, who have in the past been reluctant to accept services, and help them to accept those services that ultimately enable them to continue living in the community.
“By supporting these patients, it means they are not going into placements too early but instead remaining in the community with family and friends providing additional support that they need.”
Ms Daly, who works with patients from diagnosis through to management of their condition, said she was able to see patients quickly which resulted in a reduction of preventable hospital admissions.
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“Patients don’t get the chance to turn services away,” she said.
“Clients with dementia are often reluctant to accept services, they leave the hospital and then end up coming back to hospital because of behaviours around their dementia.
“By seeing a patient quickly I can help get their services pooled together immediately so they don’t need to come back, as well as link their carers in with other service providers.”
The duties of Nurse Navigators can include attending patients in hospital or at home, or in collaboration with their specialist or GP appointment, and securing private hospital rooms for those with behavioural issues.
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Health Minister Steven Miles announced the government would keep the funding for the important role.
“We created the Nurse Navigator position in 2015 - the first of its kind in Australia – and at the 2017 election we committed to employ 400 Nurse Navigators across Queensland,” he said.
“The position has been such a success and helped so many people, we’re now making these positions a permanent part of our healthcare delivery.
“Imagine you’re a patient with a complex health condition, you require multiple visits to different specialists and sometimes even at different hospitals. It can be confusing during a very stressful time.
“The highly experienced Nurse Navigators play an integral role in a patient’s health care journey, ensuring they are seen by the right person, at the right time and in the right place.
“Not only do they help patients navigate the system, but they also educate them about self-managing their conditions and improving their way of life.”
Redland Hospital is set to welcome two new Nurse Navigators in the coming months who will look after the Paediatrics and Neonatal Care, and Big Gap areas.
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