June 2007

Forum focus on neonatal care

Health professionals from different clinical specialties were among more than 80 delegates to a Neonatal Workforce and Education Seminar at the Royal Women’s Hospital.

The seminar was organised by the Workforce and Education working group of the Neonatal Services Advisory Committee.

The committee provides advice to the Minister for Health and the Department of Human Services on issues associated with the delivery of Victoria’s neonatal services.

The seminar had wide-ranging workforce presentations.

They included projects on Division 2 nursing practice, 24-hour consultant cover, neonatal intensive care liaison nurse roles and new models of care.

Speakers included newly-appointed committee chair Shelly Park of Southern Health and Department Service and Workforce Planning Director Peter Carver.

Director of Nurse Policy Belinda Moyes chaired a session featuring Nursing Unit Manager Ros MacLeod and Intensive Care Unit Liaison Nurse Anna Green of Western Health.

Monash University School of Nursing and Midwifery’s Associate Professor Wendy Cross chaired the education session with presentations addressing issues on improving professional links between nurseries, up-skilling the nursing workforce, medical credentialling and interdisciplinary education.