A Werribee nurse’s dedication to helping patients manage their diabetes has earned her a major nursing award.
Liz Phillips, who works at The Clinic, was given a ‘best practice’ award for ‘quality improvement’ by the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association after she helped set up a system that has improved the care of her patients battling diabetes. The awards recognise nurses doing extraordinary things to improve the health of their communities.
Since joining the practice 10 years ago, Ms Phillips has created a system that manages patient recall, ensuring that those with high blood sugar levels are seen to regularly.
Prior to the system being created, some patients were missing out on regular check-ups.
“Diabetes is an epidemic and we need to manage it to reduce the risk to our patients, especially those at risk because their blood- sugar levels are high,” Ms Phillips said. “It has made things easier for the practice.”
She was also recognised for her efforts to boost pap testing rates and childhood immunisations.
Ms Phillips said developing the programs was simply part of her job and it had “made things easier for the practice”. “Working as a practice nurse gives you more time to speak to your patients and get to know their health needs. Some of the patients I looked after when they were in labour, and now I’m looking after their children, parents and grandparents.”
Nurses association president Julianne Badenoch said Ms Phillips was a leader in her field who displayed exceptional leadership.
