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Continuity of care in healthcare takes on great importance when people require interprofessional care and interventions to treat chronic and complex health issues.
Karen Gullick has extensive experience in the healthcare industry. She holds a Master of Science (Nursing) degree and is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Service Managers, as well as an Adjunct Associate Professor at both Edith Cowan University and Curtin University.
Models for exemplary continuity of care describe regular and appropriate communication between various healthcare providers, sometimes across different settings, and for care to be provided in a coherent, logical and timely manner to the patient, considering their preferences.
Responsibility for continuity of care often begins where the person is diagnosed or first treated for an illness.
Specialist Nurses such as breast cancer nurses, prostate cancer nurses and others can be critical in ensuring that there is a coherent pathway for patients, assisting both patients and families to develop an understanding of both the disease process itself, and the care and treatment options.
This support is vital for patients at a time when they are particularly vulnerable and helps sustain their relationships with healthcare team members.
Hollywood has invested in a team of nurse specialists, including the only cardiac rehabilitation specialist nurse at a private hospital in WA, to support patient care.
In addition, Ramsay Health Plus, an allied health service on Hollywood’s Nedlands campus, offers a team of physiotherapists and other allied health professionals who have specialist skills in prehabilitation and rehabilitation of people with Orthopaedic, Cardiology, Cancer and Neurology needs.
The range of specialist nursing and allied health services at Hollywood encourages good collaboration within the interdisciplinary teams to benefit patients.
There is evidence that continuity of care impacts positively on patient outcomes, including fewer hospital admissions and fewer visits to the emergency department.
Cancer Care Navigator
Therese Thompson is a specialist nurse who has had extensive experience in caring for people with cancer. She is the link between the multidisciplinary team to coordinate all aspects of a patient’s care and provide information and referrals to additional support services.
Breast Cancer Specialist Nurses
With the support of the McGrath Foundation, Hollywood Private Hospital has two Breast Care Specialist Nurses, Dawn Johnson and Paula Melville.
Stoma Therapy Nurse
Delysia Tennant’s role is to care for and advise patients with a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy before and after surgery.
Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses
In Collaboration with the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Hollywood has three Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses – Lisa Ferry, Francesca Rogers and Lucy Lyons. From the time of diagnosis, throughout treatment and afterwards, these nurses provide information, support and coordination of care specific to individual needs.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Specialist Nurse
Kate Willis is one of only two inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) specialist nurses at private hospitals in WA. Hollywood invested in an IBD nurse to provide support, education and a helpline to patients with IBD. Ms Willis supports consultants and helps patients with the ongoing management of conditions such as Crohn’s disease and colitis.
Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist Nurse
Tracy Swanson assists cardiac patients recovering from or trying to manage cardiovascular disease. Mrs Swanson’s goal is to guide patients on a heart-healthy path to lower the risk of future heart problems.
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