Translate
Tasmanian Nurse Practitioner Tammy Harvey has been recognised nationally for her important work in leading the establishment of an innovative new model of care in a rural hospital.
Ms Harvey (pictured) was recently named as one of four finalists in the Health Minister’s Award for Nursing Trailblazers, which is awarded annually and administered by the Australian College of Nursing on behalf of the Federal Minister for Health.
Ms Harvey’s vision and leadership is vital to the success of a Nurse Practitioner-led model of care at New Norfolk District Hospital, having set it up as a trial in 2018. This successful model of care is now permanent, with a permanent full-time Nurse Practitioner employed at the facility.
This model of care is improving bed occupancy at the facility and assisting patients with ongoing care and rehabilitation, ensuring they can be treated closer to home.
The model was initially set up with a Geriatrician and Nurse Practitioner and is now a shared care model involving Nurse Practitioners, General Practitioners and a team of experienced nurses and allied health specialists.
A Nurse Practitioner is a Registered Nurse who has undertaken additional study at Master’s level and is endorsed through the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Nurse Practitioners are able to diagnose and treat people of all ages with a variety of acute or chronic health conditions. They can provide prescriptions, refer patients to hospitals and specialists, and can order x-rays and diagnostic tests.
Ms Harvey is part of a team of eight Nurse Practitioners that work across the New Norfolk District Hospital, Hospital in the Home and the Community Rapid Response Service.
Secretary of the Department of Health, Kathrine Morgan-Wicks, said Ms Harvey’s nomination was a fitting acknowledgement of her hard work and dedication to improving the health and wellbeing of Tasmanians.
“I congratulate Tammy for being recognised nationally as a trailblazer in her field and we are very grateful to have her skills and expertise within our health care system,’’ Ms Morgan-Wicks said.
“District hospitals are a vital component of our health system, and this Nurse Practitioner-led model of care has helped to increase capacity, including a significant rise in bed occupancy at the New Norfolk facility, from about 50 per cent to above 85 per cent.
“This has a positive impact on patient flow and bed access at the Royal Hobart Hospital, ensuring patients are cared for in the most appropriate setting, and that acute care beds are available for those who need them.”
Ms Harvey, who has a background in emergency and trauma care and has undergone additional training in gerontology and aged care, said she was honoured to be recognised.
“Our model of care is focused on rehabilitation, and we work closely with the patients on a goal-focused approach to their management. We have reduced falls, delirium and other complications due to the restorative focus of this model,’’ she said.
“The patients feel happy, valued and feel like they are part of the plan, and it has been great to see patients thrive under this model.
“For us as Nurse Practitioners working alongside a multidisciplinary team of health professionals, this is rewarding and meaningful for us to help patients in their recovery and their general health and wellbeing.”
