02/05/2026
๐๐ข๐๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ฌ, ๐๐ง๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐๐ฌ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐๐๐ฅ ๐ง๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐๐ง๐ญ
"I am a inflammatory bowel disease clinical nurse consultant. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is the umbrella term for both Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis. We have a dedicated IBD clinic once a week. My role involves running the IBD advice line where patients can call if their disease is flaring up, they have concerns regarding medications and I also help with providing blood results and answering questions that patients have. The purpose of an IBD nurse is that patients can get the specialised treatment they require as soon as possible with the aim of keeping them out of hospital. I ensure patients are getting the right care they require in an appropriate time frame.
I have worked at Barwon Health for 16 years. I have worked as an associate nurse unit manager on Bellerine Centre 6 North which cared for gastroenterology patients and also in the Medical Day Stay Unit. In 2017, I completed the gastroenterology course for nurses through Queensland University which gave me a greater knowledge base of gastro-related conditions. Since commencing work as an IBD nurse the service has grown rapidly and we are always looking at ways we can provide the best possible care.
I enjoy being able to help patients get the treatment they require as early as possible. Often patients with IBD feel alone as talking about your bowels and the toilet is a sensitive topic. Providing empathy is very important and they appreciate having someone they can open up to to, which means they can get the help they need. The job can be challenging with heavily booked clinics, but we always make sure the right patients are seen at the right time. It is rewarding knowing that we are helping to make a difference."
