Silver Chain team bolstered

Albany is leading the way in aged care services after a nurse practitioner joined the Silver Chain team this month, making the city the first regional area in the State to have one.

The Silver Chain Albany Branch presented a $30,000 cheque to the Silver Chain Nursing Association at their annual general meeting on Monday to assist with funding for the pilot program, which, if successful, will be rolled out in regional areas across WA.

Nurse practitioner Susan Hyde started work in Albany this month to help address a gap in aged care services by working with local GPs and health professionals to minimise the need for hospitalisation.

Silver Chain Albany primary health manager Lesley Pearson said the program was a great opportunity for Albany.

“It’s about improving access for high-care clients and Albany is the largest regional centre for Silver Chain,” she said.

“We’ve got between 1200 and 1500 clients in Albany at any one time, the high care number is in the hundreds.”

Ms Hyde said by working with other health professionals, she hoped to help cut down on high-need clients’ emergency department visits.

“My role in Albany will be to enhance the community’s ability to stay in their own homes and be supported by expert nursing care,” she said.

Ms Hyde can refer clients for tests and prescribe medication.

Silver Chain Albany Branch president Patricia Cook said the branch worked hard over the year to raise money for Silver Chain Nursing Association, including co-ordinating a street appeal, raffles and running an op shop.

“We could not have raised this money without the community who support us with donations and the hardworking volunteers,” she said.