RBWH Nurse Educator duo leverage different thinking to solve healthcare challenges

Adam Turbutt and Cath Saddler, both passionate Nurse Educators at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital

A RBWH Nurse Educator duo is furthering awareness about neurodiversity in the workplace.

Cath Saddler and Adam Turbutt, both Nurse Educators at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital have founded the Nursing and Midwifery Neurodiversity Working Group—an alliance of staff across Metro North Health who share their passion for inclusion.

Cath and Adam were part of discussions about the importance of celebrating and leveraging all types of minds to solve problems, which sparked the idea for the group.

The working group is now developing a strengths model around neurodiversity at Metro North Health as well as training for managers.

“There are lots of myths and stigmas associated with neurodivergence, when we, as an organisation, could be utilising different approaches to problem solving,” Cath said.

“If we start with education and inclusivity about neurodiversity in the workplace, and in our community, there will be more opportunity for celebrating our differences rather than treating them as a disability,” she said.

Adam said he encouraged people to embrace and understand the strengths that come with being neurodiverse.

“The difficulties faced by neurodivergent people are often caused by the way society, workplaces, policies and infrastructure are designed, and workplaces need to facilitate and foster autonomy, belonging and contribution,” Adam said.

Cath and Adam’s work forms part of the Metro North Health Disability Services Action Plan— (easy read version).