This Heart Week, Bass Coast Health is excited to welcome two new cardiac nurses to the team: Harold Warne and Karen Wynne.
They will improve care, support, access and education for cardiovascular patients and their families and deliver pilot projects with Safer Care Victoria in collaboration with The Alfred Hospital Cardiology team.
“This is a much-needed service that will not only benefit patients but also the community in general,” Harold said.
Karen added, “We’re bringing specialised care to the patients rather than them having to travel. We are pleased to be able to bring more cardiology services to the Bass Coast region.
“Our plan is to extend the service to other health services in the region and welcome referrals from patients in the catchments of South Gippsland Hospital, Gippsland Southern Health Service and Kooweerup Regional Health Service.”
Karen is a Rapid Access AF Clinical Nurse Consultant and has started a new rapid access Atrial Fibrillation (AF) clinic at Wonthaggi Hospital - the first in Victoria to start this year.
The clinic provides specialist care to patients diagnosed with AF. Every patient will receive an AF management care plan and stroke risk assessment, including an oral anticoagulant review. Patients referred into the clinic are seen within 14 days and followed up by Karen and Cardiologists from The Alfred Hospital.
As a Cardiac Liaison Nurse, Harold aims to improve the quality of cardiac care and to reduce unplanned hospital readmissions.
He will work within community and primary health settings to improve coordinated care of patients with atrial fibrillation, heart failure and/or ischaemic heart disease during admission, discharge and transition to the community.
We will see a reduction in re-admission for cardiac conditions through care provided by the Cardiac Nurse Liaison, care plans supported by the multidisciplinary team, and referrals and review at specialist cardiac clinics and cardiac rehabilitation programs.
Both nurses can support staff by providing education and guidance about cardiac conditions.
They can be contacted by phoning 0459 501 986 or emailing: cardiology.services@basscoasthealth.org.au
For more information about heart health see the Heart Foundation website: www.heartfoundation.org.au