Ms Linda Proietti Wilson1, Ms Annette Barrett2, Ms Jan Coull2, Ms Chrissie Williams2
1Department of Health, Launceston, Australia, 2Tasmanian Health Service, Launceston, Australia
Abstract:
In late 2018 the Launceston Community Nursing Service faced a significant challenge. National aged care reforms were driving adoption of wellness and reablement services within community nursing services however there was confusion regarding the practical application of this approach within a community nursing setting and the service had limited capacity to fund the needed workforce upskilling and service changes.
But then planets aligned! A community nurse with experience in motivational interviewing and chronic disease self-management support joined the team and was eager to champion and support changes in practice.
And around the same time TasCOSS was offering assistance with assessing organisational readiness for wellness and reablement and training and support of staff in a wellness approach.
So, when opportunity came knocking the service acted quickly!
A successful submission for grant funding to the Tasmanian Wellness Framework Project allowed for the implementation of a 12-month program of activity designed to reorientate community nursing practice through practical support and mentoring.
In addition, LCNS seized the opportunity to advocate for wellness and reablement to be embedded in a new state-wide Tasmanian Health Service community nursing skills pathway and the configuration of the new electronic interRAI nursing assessment, risk screening and care planning tool.
Agile thinking and a coalition of willing collaborators has enabled LCNS to resource and implement a multi-level strategy designed to embed wellness and reablement in routine processes and practice.
Biography:
Linda Proietti Wilson is an Assistant Director of Nursing within the Department of Health, Tasmania. Linda is currently leading a project to develop a ‘wellness’ framework, which aims to support a greater focus on working in health promoting ways across the spectrum of health care including hospitals and community care.
Jan Coull is a Senior eHealth Project Manager for the Tasmanian Health Service and has led local and statewide eHealth Projects since 2010. Jan also has more than 30 years Nursing experience in the acute, rehabilitation and outpatient sectors. Jan’s eHealth experience includes a project clinical advisory role and clinical lead of a statewide Patient Flow Manager system and an Oncology electronic Medical Record project. Jan’s work focuses on change management, re-engineering business processes and streamlining workflows. Jan is currently Project Manager for the statewide implementation of the interRAI assessment, risk screening and nurse careplanning tools for Community Nursing, the Acute sector and three pilot district hospitals.
Chrissie Williams is a Registered Nurse, Bachelor of Science (Honours), with a diverse range of experience within acute and primary health, Local Government and Education settings inclusive of wellness and reablement both at grass roots and strategic level. Chrissie is currently working as clinical lead on the LCNS Wellness & Reablement Project whilst studying for her International accreditation as a Health and Wellness coach.
Annette Barrett is the Assistant Director of Nursing for Primary Health North. She has over 35 years nursing experience and is very passionate about the practical application of Primary Health Care principles as well as promoting increased recognition of the value of community health services and ongoing innovation in community health service delivery.