This ANZAC Day 2023, Australian Health Journal releases an interview with Group Captain Kath Stein MACN, Director of Defence Force Nursing with the Royal Australian Air Force.
She talks about many masks, aside from PPE, that leadership and all nurses need to wear. Currently there is work underway on a new capability description on what a nurse brings to every level in the nursing defence structure. The advice Group Captain Stein, imparts for new recruits and those interested in joining Defence Force Nursing is to take every opportunity that arises. This is evident in her progression through her career.
Group Captain Stein joined the Air Force in March 1991 through the Undergraduate Scheme. Following her graduation from University she consolidated her clinical training in the Graduate Program at Fremantle Hospital.
In the years that have followed she has served in health facilities including Number 3 RAAF Hospital, Health Services Flights Pearce and Tindal with operational experience on exercises and deployments. This health experience supported her health planning role in Headquarters 395 Expeditionary Combat Support Wing and varying policy and governance roles in Strategic Policy and Intelligence Group, Joint Health Command and Air Force Headquarters. She was privileged to Command Joint Health Unit Northern New South Wales and is the current Director of Defence Force Nursing.
Group Captain Stein’s professional development activities have included the USAF Flight Nurse Course and tertiary studies to specialise in Trauma Nursing and Emergency Management. She recently Graduated from the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has served as a Director on the Board for a Not for Profit Organisation making a difference in Mental Health Services for the community. Her interests outside of work include supporting her childrens’ sporting pursuits, catching up with friends and community service. She has two teenage boys and indulges one very spoilt puppy, Alfie.
Credits:
Australian College of Nursing (National Nursing Forum 2022, Darwin),
Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN, CEO ACN
-
Mission to raise awareness of sarcoma and need for clinical trial funding
Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer, remains the deadliest cancer for children and young adults, accounting for nearly one third (30%) of cancer-related deaths among those aged 15–24 and one tenth (10%) of those aged 0–14. Further, still severely under-diagnosed, sarcoma only accounts for one sixth (15%) of all cancer diagnoses in the 15 – 24 age group, and less than a tenth (8%) among children under 10.
-
The quest to create an Australian framework for a Palliative Care Pharmacist
Helen Stone is the State and Territory Manager SA & NT for the Pharmaceutical Society Australia. Her professional interests include palliative care, pharmacist professional services, mental health, leadership, and management.
She has recently led teams of pharmacists in innovative pharmacy practice models including in aged care, GP practice, palliative care and dementia support. This has contributed to the body of evidence for sustainable funding for embedded pharmacist roles in primary care and aged care settings.
-
State of private healthcare in Australia
Australia’s healthcare system is often described as a mixed system, with a combination of public and private providers. While public healthcare through Medicare provides universal coverage for essential services, private healthcare offers additional options and amenities for those who can afford them.
Private Healthcare Australia (PHA) is the Australian private health insurance industry’s peak representative body that currently has 21registered health funds throughout Australia and collectively represents 98% of people covered by private health insurance. PHA member funds today provide healthcare benefits for over 14 million Australians.
