TPCH’s Internal Medicine Service has recently welcomed a new nurse navigator for rheumatology, Cheree Kimmins.

Cheree works with the rheumatology team in the outpatient setting to coordinate patient centred care.

Her position supports patients receiving biologic medications for their rheumatology condition, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis.

“The aim of my role is to improve health literacy and coordinate the patient’s health requirements across all settings to improve their health outcomes and support systems improvements,” Cheree said.

Cheree provides person-centred, targeted education and training for her patients based on their individual conditions and management plans.

“Some patients receive their biologic medications as subcutaneous injection, which I support through upskilling them to self-administer this medication through training provided in the clinic setting.”

Cheree’s role also involves providing patients with information packs and linking them to appropriate services, dependent on their individual biologic medication prescription.

“I find it rewarding to create these partnerships with all the care providers to optimise the patient journey and help patients improve their self-efficacy.

“I love seeing their quality of life improve due to this integrated and personalised approach.”