Expert nursing care for patients of concern

Nurse speaking with elderly female patient

More than 1,000 patients have benefited from Redcliffe Hospital’s new patient of concern nursing service since it began operation in July 2025.

The service is available 24/7 at Redcliffe Hospital and called upon when ward nurses identify a patient of concern who may need some extra or specialised care, receiving 25-35 new referrals each week.

Clinical Nurse Consultant Jessica Gilmour has been part of the service since it was rolled out.

Jessica said the model of care was inspired and influenced by those at other hospitals but developed specifically for Redcliffe to assist with the high acuity of patients the hospital was now caring for.

“It may be the patient is showing signs of clinical deterioration, they may have a high-risk condition or have been the subject of a MET (emergency) call in the past 24 hours,” Jessica said.

“The patient of concern nurse doesn’t replace the usual medical escalation process but provides the nursing team caring for that patient with an extra layer of expert nursing and support.”

Jessica said the work of the patient of concern nurse ranged from providing advice or education to nursing teams through to active intervention in a patient’s care.

“A good example of that intervention would be during a patient’s transfer from a ward to the ICU,” she said.

“While bed movements are being arranged and happening, the nurse can be delivering the higher acuity nursing care required. That allows the nursing team to care for other patients, while reducing clinical risk and ensuring no delay in care for the patient.”

Jessica said the feedback from nursing colleagues using the service was resoundingly positive.

“The nursing staff tell us that they’re feeling more supported with their questions, concerns and during interventions and escalations needed for patients,” she said.

“Ultimately, it’s about making sure nursing teams have the support needed when caring for any patient they are concerned about ensuring safe and quality care.”