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Dear Haemophilia Community,
Some of you are aware that a couple of years ago I developed a severe allergy to penicillin which resulted in me leaving my workplace at the hospital to avoid exposure to this drug. I moved my permanent position to Clare Holland House (formally ACT hospice), but negotiated a temporary contract with 14A to continue on as the Haemophilia Nurse.
As a result of this move, and with natural attrition of experienced nurses away from 14A and B, we now have a situation where there is very little experience in treating haemophilia patients within the hospital. Some of you have found this to be a problem when presenting to the Emergency Department, or when requiring help and advice on days other than Thursdays.
In order to improve services I have been talking to the management about returning full-time to the hospital. Unfortunately I have been unable to find a position which I can combine with haemophilia, which does not expose me to penicillin.
A second solution to the problem is to train some nurses from 14A to treat haemophilia patients, with a view to providing a 5 day a week service from 14A.
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The obvious advantages of this solution are that there will be more than one nurse with haemophilia experience to allow for leave cover and succession planning, as well as reducing the number of times you will have to go to the Emergency Department for treatment. To this end I have working with Sharron Davison from 14A, and will shortly begin training another 14A nurse.
My current contract as Haemophilia Nurse expires in September and I have decided not to renew it. It has been a very difficult decision to make as I have really enjoyed working with you all and count many of you as friends. Unfortunately I can’t work in 14A because of the risk of penicillin exposure, and I believe you will be better served by a pool of nurses who are available 5 days a week.
I have decided to accept a position as Clinical Development Nurse at Clare Holland House and feel that I need to direct my energies there.
I encourage you to make yourself known to Sharron, and hope that you can teach her as much about haemophilia as you have taught me!
I wish you all good health and happiness in the future.
Liz Jarvis
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Membership of the Haemophilia Foundation ACT Inc is
available to all persons who are affected by haemophilia or related
bleeding disorders, their families and carers. Annual membership of the
HFACT is a modest $5 for a single person or $10 for a family.
Membership may be paid by posting a cheque for the
corresponding amount along with your details to our postal address given
in this newsletter. A form for this purpose has been included with this
newsletter.
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If you prefer to pay via the internet then you can do
so. Our bank details are available from our President or Treasurer.
If you choose to pay using the internet option then
it would be appreciated if you could notify us by post or email. A
receipt will be issued once the monthly bank statement has been
processed.
The Haemophilia Foundation ACT Inc is a registered charity and
donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.
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