Tuesday August 30, 2022

National award for Calvary nurse

National

Calvary Adelaide Hospital nurse Liezel Fourie has been recognised as Catholic Health Australia’s 2022 Nurse of the Year.

Tuesday August 30, 2022

Tuesday August 30, 2022 Comments

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The national award honours an outstanding nurse, midwife or nursing team working in Catholic health and aged care services. It recognises the commitment of an individual nurse or team to serving patients and clients with respect and dignity while acknowledging their individual uniqueness.

This commitment must be demonstrated through a research project, innovative program, or a significant contribution to new or existing body of knowledge that contributes to the promotion and celebration of a Catholic understanding of care in a changing environment.

Liezel is clinical manager, Milne Ward, at Calvary Adelaide and has a long history of working in the area of dementia.

In 2017 she established a project for the management of delirium and dementia in patients in acute-care settings that enhanced the care environment, improved behaviour management, reduced the number of falls and increased engagement with the families of patients.

In 2022 she was appointed as lead for Calvary Adelaide to undertake a dementia friendly gap analysis using national health standards. This review will be tabled and used for future learning nationally.

Catholic Health Australia (CHA) chief executive Pat Garcia said Ms Fourie was a passionate advocate for patients with cognitive impairment.

“She has led, supported, encouraged and managed her staff on Milne Ward at Calvary Adelaide Hospital to take care of some of our most vulnerable patients,” Mr Garcia said.

“Due to her vision and passion, patients with cognitive impairment are getting the best care and experience possible. Liezel is humble and never seeks praise or affirmation from others. She gets in and gets the job done. A quiet achiever she inspires others with her positive attitude, and friendliness.”

The award was presented by CHA deputy chair Jenny Parker at a gala dinner in Brisbane last month before 280 delegates gathered for the CHA national conference.