Stroke patients in Perth’s northern suburbs now have greater access to specialist support with a WA-first stroke care model launched at Joondalup Health Campus.
The hospital has appointed two permanent nurse practitioners to its stroke ward to improve access to more timely and greater stroke clinical expertise.
In Australia, nurse practitioners are required to complete a master’s degree, at least 5000 hours of advanced clinical practice and be endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
Professor Kevin O’Connor, JHC deputy director of medical services, said the move was a landmark moment for the hospital.
“This is an important milestone for JHC and the local community that will support early diagnosis, secondary prevention and assist with stroke education and research,” Professor O’Connor said.
“The introduction of NP-led outpatient clinics will also improve access to timely follow-up care and help reduce delays for patients awaiting outpatient review.”
Camera IconSpecialist stroke care in Perth’s north has received a boost with Joondalup Health Campus appointing dedicated nurse practitioners to the ward. Credit: David Baylis/Community News
Around 46,000 stroke events occur across Australia each year, according to Stroke Foundation data, equating to about one stroke every 11 minutes.
Mercy Chimurambi, one of the two permanent nurse practitioners now at JHC, said the additional clinical leadership would improve patient experiences and support better outcomes for stroke patients.
“We provide an important link between nursing and medical care, helping to streamline patient management and co-ordinate their care more efficiently,” Ms Chimurambi said.
“In a fast-paced acute environment, we can help with complex decision-making, improve workflow, and ensure that treatment aligns with evidence-based practice.
“Stroke patients often require highly specialised and time-critical care, so being able to contribute at an advanced practice level and help shape the future of stroke services is both a privilege and a responsibility.”
Stroke services at the hospital include an inpatient ward and outpatient clinics for medical and allied health appointments, as well as access to on-site CT and MRI scans and rehabilitation services through a co-located functional training unit and gymnasium.
JHC was one of 15 health services across the country granted Australian Stroke Alliance funding earlier this year to appoint an after-hours clinical nurse co-ordinator to support stroke care in the emergency department and improve patient transfers for rehabilitation.