Immunology Nursing in Australia

Geraldine Dunne BSc (Hons) RN, Clinical Nurse Consultant

Department of Immunology & Infectious Disease , Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, Sydney, Australia

Geraldine.dunne@health.nsw.gov.au

Sydney Children's Hospital Network

Sydney Children’s Hospital network consists of

• The Children’s Hospital at Westmead

• Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick

Both are:

• Tertiary referral centres with an A& E department

Both hospitals have:

• Allergy & Immunology departments

• I am employed as a Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) at the Randwick campus within the department of Immunology and Infectious Disease

Skills and Experience

• RN (UK)

• RSCN (UK)

• BSc(hons) Child Health

• Adv Dip Child Development

• + Other short courses

• Immunisation for RN’s

• Certificate IV in Teaching and Assessing

Experience in

• General Paediatrics both community and hospital based

• Previously, heavily involved in the world of allergy

• Managed NSW Anaphylaxis Training program

• Currently working in immunology and ID

• Involved with various projects through ASCIA

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Role of Immunology Nurse Specialist in Australia

• Disparate group

• Non standardized

• No specific course or qualification required

Role will vary according to

•State

• Size of department

•Funding

• Resources available

NSW Remaining 6 states in Australia

Immunology across Australia

• Approximately 0-10 Immunology ‘centres’ across each state

• E.G. Tasmania does not have a major centre

• 3 main paediatric Immunology ‘centres’ within NSW

• 6 main adult immunology ‘centres’ within NSW

 

NBA (National Blood Authority)

Approval of SCIg products 2013

Prior to new approval

Recent changes in Australia:- SCIg

• Formally approved access to SCIg for a number of specific indications across Australia

• Introduced 2 products to the market

• Gammanorm 16.5% Imported Octapharma

• Evogam 16% domestic CSL

• Kiovig also available:- 10% for SC or IVI

• Availability of Normal Human Immunoglobulin (NHIg) only

• Indicated for IM use but was used ‘off license’ (CSL)

ASCIA Membership for Registered Nurses across Australia

ASCIAAustralasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy

• 79 nurses who are members of ASCIA

• 16 nurses who are members of the ASCIA Nurses SCIg special interest group

ASCIA Projects to date In progress for In 2015

ASCIA

2014 ASCIA developed SCIg Position Statement  

SCIg support resources - patient booklet

PID e-training for GPs. 

SCIg e-training for nurses to up-skill nurses starting to work in SCIg programs

Guidelines documents relating to pre-transplant care and transportation of patients for transplant

Immune Deficiency Foundation Australia (IDFA)

Consumer Group

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My Contact details

Geraldine Dunne BSc (Hons) RN

Clinical Nurse Consultant

Department of Immunology

Sydney Children’s Hospital

Randwick, Sydney, Australia

Geraldine.dunne@health.nsw.gov.au

 

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