• Charles Sturt University will assist a new pilot program to improve access to specialised nursing care for people living with neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s Disease, in western NSW
• The program is now recruiting 12 registered nurses to participate in the program
• Applications close on Sunday 15 November

Charles Sturt University Research has recently signed a contract with the Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) to provide consultancy and evaluation for the four-year Movement Disorder Nurse Specialist Pilot Program.

The program is a community-focused initiative to improve access to specialised nursing care for people living with neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease in the western NSW region

Associate Professor of Nursing Rachel Rossiter (pictured right) in the Charles Sturt School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health is the research and evaluation consultant for the program, which will reach to the South Australian border, including Bourke, Wentworth, Balranald and Broken Hill in the west, and east to Bathurst, Mudgee and other localities.

“This program is a strong example of Charles Sturt University’s focus on collaborations with health care services to make a practical difference for our communities,” Professor Rossiter said.

“ The development of the pilot program results from the strong collaboration between the PHN and Charles Sturt University.

“The nursing model of care for this project has been strongly informed by the research funded by Parkinson’s NSW that our research team has undertaken over the past three years.”

The program is now advertising to recruit the 12 nurses to participate in the program and alert potential nurse applicants to this capacity-building opportunity across the WNSW PHN footprint.

WNSW PHN CEO Mr Andrew Harvey said the pilot program will substantially improve health outcomes for patients in the region by providing more trained staff in more readily accessible locations for patients.

“This pilot program is a first for our region, and applications are open now,” Mr Harvey said.

“The program will remove the barriers for 12 Registered Nurses to access theoretical knowledge, practical skills through supported industry placements, and ongoing mentoring and networking support, ultimately leading to a sustainable and customised model of care for patients.”

Parkinson’s NSW CEO, Ms Jo-Anne Reeves, said she is committed to this partnership.

“This program will be instrumental in helping to build knowledge around Parkinson’s in rural and remote communities, and we’re looking forward to supporting and working with the 12 successful applicants,” she said.

The Movement Disorder Nurse Specialist Pilot Program is open to Registered Nurses currently working in the WNSW PHN region for the Far West or Western NSW Local Health Districts, general practices, or Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.

More information on WNSW PHN’s Movement Disorder Nurse Specialist Pilot and Expressions of Interest are available online at www.wnswphn.org.au/mdns.

Applications close at 11.59pm on Sunday 15 November 2020.