Summary
Redland Hospital has welcomed Leesa Peck as its new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurse Navigator.
Redland Hospital has welcomed Leesa Peck as its new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurse Navigator.
A proud Mununjali/Yuggera and Gurang Aboriginal and South Sea Islander woman, Leesa's role will help in building trust and providing cultural support for First Nations people accessing healthcare.
Leesa said her nursing journey began with her Bachelor of Nursing, which she completed in 2016 before she immediately started working with Aboriginal medical services, driven by her passion for Indigenous health.
“I've always been in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health. It's my passion and I will never leave,” she said.
As a Nurse Navigator, Leesa said her role involved assisting patients with chronic diseases or complex medical concerns by helping them navigate their health journey including developing care plans, providing support and advocacy, and overcoming barriers to accessing care.
“A typical referral may be someone who has discharged against medical advice or someone who's failed to attend their medical appointments.
“I also help refer people to the right services when they have been discharged and they require community support. We help patients make informed choices about their healthcare.”
Leesa acknowledged the distrust some Indigenous people had towards the health system, stemming from historical injustices such as the Stolen Generations and inter-generational trauma.
“It’s important to see these issues have caused mistrust, for example, understanding a family’s cultural values and child rearing beliefs; you look at things through a different lens.”
"Seeing an Indigenous healthcare professional when they arrive at the hospital will make a significant difference for Indigenous patients," she said. “I think it's a lived experience. I can see them and understand family and my community.
“I think I am in this job because I was shown how to care for my community by my Elders, family and community. It’s our job as the next generation to keep the fire burning.”