News

Peel nurses named finalists in WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards

Mar 20, 2019

Two Peel Health Campus (PHC) nurses were named finalists in the 2019 WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards.

Sue Birtwistle and Nat Tomlin form part of the QuEST (Quality, Education, Safety and Training) team and were nominated for their collaborative work with patients, clients, cares and families and for providing a service that benefits the patient community.

Ms Tomlin and Ms Birtwistle were the driving force behind improvements at PHC for patients with cognitive impairments after a complaint prompted action in 2016.

PHC received a letter from a carer, Jim Duquemin, in relation to his wife, Paddi, after she was diagnosed with rapidly progressive dementia.

Quick to respond, the duo met with Mr Duquemin and his daughter to map out Paddi’s patient journey through the health system to identify issues - from the initial GP visit, outpatients, multiple admissions and aged care placement all the way through to discharge planning and palliative management.

They identified areas for improvements and implemented an action plan that saw increased education, a “carer’s corner” in the PHC reception for better support and additional information, a review of key processes, improved communication between medical staff and carers and patients, and created a more stimulating environment for patients on Whelan Ward, where most cognitively impaired patients receive treatment.

A total of 47 of Western Australia's most dedicated nurses and midwives were chosen as finalists across 12 categories for the 2019 WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards.

WA Health Minister Roger Cook said the WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards were an excellent opportunity for Western Australians to publicly acknowledge the approximately 38,000 nurses and midwives across the State working in private, public and non-government sectors.  

 "Nurses and midwives are critical to the State's health system and ensure the people of Western Australia receive quality, compassionate and safe care,” he said.

“The 47 nurses and midwives chosen as finalists for these awards are among the best and most dedicated in their fields.”