Hunter - Education and mentoring support for clinicians
This project was conducted in order to facilitate the release of of allied, medical and nursing staff in regional areas within North Coast and Hunter New England Area Health Services to update their paediatric skills, through secondments to and from John Hunter Children's Hospital and other regional hospitals.
The objectives of this project were to:
- Continue to enhance current networking relationships between the John Hunter Children's Hospital and networking partners from the Mid North Coast Area Health Service and New England Area Health Service.
- Improve secondment experience of health staff from regional hospitals by assisting in their professional development.
- Continue a mentoring program for health professionals that utilises staff who can be released from their clinical load to facilitate a well-coordinated experience that meets the objectives of the clinicians.
- Initiate and conduct education sessions on current Paediatric topics for child health staff.
The following took place:
- Clinical Secondment of four nurses from Armidale Children's Ward to John Hunter Children's Hospital, Paediatric Recovery Unit and Operating Theatre, during February 2004.
- Clinical Secondment of eight nurses North Coast Area Health Service to John Hunter Hospital Paediatric Emergency Department and John Hunter Children's Hospital. These secondments took place from March to June 2005.
- Paediatric Oncology Workshop at Port Macquarie, February 2004. 13
nurses from Port Macquarie Base Hospital and Coffs Harbour Health Campus
attended this workshop. Topics covered included:
- Nursing Assessment of the Oncology Patient
- Safe administration of Cytotoxic drugs
- Febrile Neutropenia
- Central Lines and Porta Caths - best practice and case presentations and discussion.
- Paediatric Study Day at Tamworth, March 2004 and Port Macquarie,
May 2004. 66 health professionals attended these two study days. Topics
covered included:
- Paediatric Seizures
- Meningitis and Tumours
- Burns Assessment and Management
- Wound Management
- Pain Assessment and Management
- Surgical Issues and Orthopaedic Issues.
- Facilitated the attendance of a CNC to present the Network's achievements in the implementation of the Clinical Practice Guidelines at an International Conference in 2004.
- Two seminars were held on the health and mental well being of siblings of children with special needs. Dr Kate Strohm of Siblings Australia presented in September 2005.
The outcomes were:
- All study day participants completed process and impact evaluation
forms. These evaluations revealed:
- The study days provided practical information that the participants could use when caring for sick children
- The information presented was rated as being very relevant to the participants current practice
- All believed the study days prompted them to reflect on their clinical practice
- 90% found the sessions interesting and stimulating to attend
- Nurses undertaking the clinical secondment were also requested to
complete an evaluation form at the end of their secondment. The participant's
assigned preceptor was also requested to complete an evaluation. All
evaluations were extremely positive.
- This activity facilitated the congruence of practice between the outlying hospital and the tertiary referral centre, provided an opportunity to enhance the knowledge and skills of staff from Armidale Hospital and provided an environment for the JHCH staff members to develop professionally as clinical teachers.
- As a result of these activities the establishment of networking and clinical support systems between staff from the John Hunter Hospital Children's Hospital, MNCAHS and the NEAHS has been enhanced. Relevant and appropriate contacts have been established and resource sharing and exchange is ongoing.
- The two seminars on Siblings of Children with Special Needs were open
to all paediatric health care professionals and carers of children with
special needs within the Northern Child Health Network.
- There were 55 attendees for the carers seminar and 65 attendees for the professionals seminar
- All evaluation responses were very positive
- A mailing list has been formed
- Support groups for siblings are being set up