Some of Mackay’s most vulnerable people are benefitting from the work of Nurse Navigator Annie Lynch.
Ms Lynch works with highly complex and vulnerable patients to connect them with disability support services.
Nurse Navigators are highly skilled and experienced nurses who act as a central point of communication and coordination for patients who need a high level of care.
She is the winner of this year’s Clinical Excellence Award for her tireless efforts acting as a bridge between healthcare and disability services.
Organising on-going support from the NDIS for patients after discharge is one of her roles and challenges.
“Patients with complex needs and circumstances can be at risk of an unnecessary extended hospital unless the right supports are in place,” her nomination said.
“Annie never backs down from a challenge; she works tirelessly, often above and beyond to support her Mackay Base Hospital colleagues to achieve a just and empowered discharge outcome for patients.
“This enables improved community care and reduced risk of re-presentation to hospital.
“Annie’s superpowers include her fearlessness of complexity, her tenacity, her unshakeable commitment to advocating for patients’ rights to high quality care and her compassionate communication with patients and families.
“She can negotiate with the NDIS and transform complex medical information into
disability languages that can be understood by the NDIS system.
“Annie’s tireless commitment to excellence means high quality outcomes for patients, which reflects powerfully for all who work at Mackay HHS.”
