Nurse navigators guide Wide Bay patients

Wide Bay patients with complex health care needs will be able to navigate the Queensland health system more efficiently, thanks to the help of their appointed nurse navigators.

Health and Ambulance Services Minister Cameron Dick said in the past 12 months, Queensland Health had introduced 121 nurse navigator positions across all Hospital and Health Services, including five in Wide Bay.

“I look forward to a further 119 nurse navigators expected to be employed statewide in 2017,” Mr Dick said.

“People are often at their lowest – mentally, emotionally and physically – when they are sick and often they need just as much support and advice as they do health care.

“These nurse navigators act as guides, ensuring patients are seen by the right person, at the right time and in the right place.

“These nurses are highly experienced and are not only helping their patients with navigating the system, but also educating them about self-managing their conditions and improving their way of life.

“We are seeing very early on that this new model of care is improving patient outcomes and enabling an integrated approach to health service delivery.

“Patients with an appointed nurse navigator are experiencing less emergency department presentations, less unnecessary hospital admissions and less avoidable readmissions than ever before.

“They are getting end-to-end care, with a nurse navigator there at every step; asking questions the patient might not know to ask and helping them to better understand their conditions.”

Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders praised the Fraser Coast’s three nurse navigators and the progress Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service’s team have made since they recently started.

“In their first few weeks in the roles, the nurse navigators have been establishing a broad network of WBHHS staff, GPs and other health professionals that will be able to refer patients to them,” Mr Saunders said.

“They expect to take on their first patients by the end of April.”

Kristen James, manager of the Fraser Coast nurse navigators, said they would provide patients with an essential point of contact working across multiple services and specialties.

“I am thrilled at the opportunity to be a part of a team pioneering the way in which we support people with complex chronic conditions, improving the health of communities while reducing the burden on our overwhelmed health systems,” the registered nurse of 16 years said.

“By putting individuals at the centre of their health care, we will educate and empower them to become confident in managing their conditions, strengthen their relationships with health professionals and empower them to make good decisions about their health.

“Ultimately by taking this approach, we will be able to improve the management of chronic diseases and improving each individual’s quality of life.

ENDS

Media contact: Emma McBryde 0400 622 433