November 22, 2024#WeAreNorthern
Meet Fiona Beadle, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Cardiac and Heart Failure Rehabilitation, Northern Health.
Q: Firstly, what is your coffee order?
A: A small skinny latte please. Most days I drink white tea, but I do enjoy an occasional coffee when catching up with friends or on the weekends, or if I am very tired!
Q: Tell us about your role at Northern Health?
A: I’ve been working as a nurse at Northern Health for 24 years. I initially joined Northern Health to undertake Post Graduate Critical Care studies. I worked in the Intensive Care Unit as a bedside nurse, and then as an ICU Educator prior to my current position as a Clinical Nurse Consultant in Cardiac and Heart Failure Rehabilitation. In my role, I assess patients, provide education and support, and guide them through their recovery after a cardiac event, procedure, surgery, or heart failure diagnosis. I work with a fantastic team, and together we make a meaningful difference in our patients’ lives.
Q: Your team has been awarded the Innovation Award this year. Tell us a bit more about that, how and why did you come up with the idea?
A: Our team has worked in conjunction with the CLEO team to develop a Virtual Cardiac Rehab program, as an alternative model of care to the traditional centre-based program. Attendance in a cardiac rehab program significantly decreases the likelihood of having another cardiac event and reduces hospital readmission rates. We recognised that some patients experienced difficulty in attending a centre-based program due to work and other commitments, and that an alternative model of care was required. The aim of the Virtual Cardiac Rehab program is to increase the uptake of cardiac rehab, and to cater to those who are unable to attend a centre-based program. The program offers a tailored exercise program, along with education and support from the multidisciplinary team. We have had 16 patients complete the virtual cardiac rehab program since April, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
Q: Are you a night owl or an early bird?
A: I have tendencies to be both at times. I try to stay as active as possible throughout my day. Earlier this year, I participated in the Oxfam 100km walk through the Dandenong Ranges, which made me realise just how much I need my sleep—and that even a quick powernap is better than none at all!
Q: What is your favourite place to travel to and why?
A: I’ve travelled to many amazing places but my favourite is my yearly holiday in Eden, New South Wales. I’ve enjoyed many wonderful moments camping and caravanning there with family and friends.
