Neurological nursing

It doesn't matter what you do in the in the day you know. It's like, if you wake up in the morning it's a good day. 

I'm Al, I'm one of the neurological liaison nurses here at MSWA. I think what sets neurological liaison nurses at MSWA apart is our specific specialised knowledge in neurological conditions. We deal with people right from their diagnosis all the way through their disease progression. So I think we're able to offer specialised care with our knowledge and the additional training we do to be able to meet their very specific and and sometimes ever changing needs. I first met Nick um almost a year ago and he is a very well-loved figure up here at Butler. Nick attends our outreach service. He's heavily involved with our nursing service as well. 

My name's Nick Chapman I've got cerebral palsy from birth and um just turned 50. The first seven years of my life was constantly in hospital being you know um poked and prodded and and operated on so I could actually walk and and get around. I then ended up working for 27 years for health and safety. It was a job that I loved I felt really bad for them for leaving that I needed to go for the health reasons. They refused my disability pension three times from November 2019. I've then had help from getting services from MSWA after the approval of the disability pension. My father with pancreatic cancer My dad goes "Oh yeah your sister's going to help you when I'm when I'm not here." But then she gets MS. What my what what my father wanted didn't happen. 

For our clients such as Nick quite often they can face challenges in obtaining the services that they need. So in our role we're able to provide that initial nursing assessment to get a really solid baseline of what they need and what would make a difference in their lives, Then we're in a position to advocate for them to make the appropriate referrals, to make sure that they get the support and help that they need be that from personal care at home through to social support so that they're able to be accessed in the community. We would really benefit from just having more of us so that we were able to expand our nursing service and be able to provide ideally 24/7 nursing care to our clients so that they have that one point of contact. That continuity of care for clients can make all the difference to them. I think one of the most rewarding things about working with Nick has been building up that therapeutic relationship with him. Getting to know him as a person and not just as his condition and he is a very inspiring guy when you learn about his journey and everything that he's been through and the attitude that he brings to everyone around him and the joy he spreads is really inspiring. So it's been a a privilege to work with him and to get to know him. 

Here I am now. So it's like I'm happy where I am because I've got the the backing of MSWA. I've had trouble getting out of bed sometimes because of my cerebral palsy. I've actually been stuck where I've been in at home, on my own without any help. So it'd be even worse with somebody with like you know mobility issues with a with a wheelchair. MSWA having a 24-hour sort of service that's a that's a good thing from that point of view. The nursing staff and MSWA as a whole has been beneficial for me to get out into the community and enjoy so yeah I'm positive anyway with when it comes to going out and enjoying life. It doesn't matter what doesn't doesn't matter what you do. 

Having the opportunity to work with clients like Nick it it makes my heart happy. We are in such a privileged position as nurses to be involved in our clients care and to be a part of their journey and it's an absolute honor to be able to do this job and to meet people like Nick . It makes our job a lot easier. 

MSWA Neurological Liaison Nurses (which can also be referred to as community liaison nurses, neurology nurses and more) provide crucial information and educational resources to help you understand and navigate your diagnosis.

Our Nurses are experienced in conducting nursing assessments that support your NDIS funding applications, ensuring you have access to the resources you need.

Our dedicated team of nurses are available during these hours to offer ongoing support, whether you need advice or assistance with managing your care.

Our Nurse Support Service is available from 8:00am to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday.

Our Nurses perform comprehensive assessments to develop individualised care plans, ensuring every aspect of your health is addressed.

We provide expert care in managing continence, including catheter changes and the development of personalised nursing plans to suit your needs.

Our Nurses are skilled in wound care management, offering wound dressing changes and creating individualised care plans to promote optimal healing.

When necessary, we help you connect with specialised palliative care providers, offering compassionate support during challenging times.

MSWA Nurses can support Clients with enteral, or 'tube,’ feeding. This involves providing nutritional support directly into the stomach or small intestine through a tube, as prescribed by the Client’s medical team.

Saliva management addresses both excessive and insufficient production of saliva. MSWA Nurses can support Clients with strategies to improve comfort and function.

A Neurological Liaison Nurse at MSWA specialises in providing care and support to individuals with neurological conditions. Their role includes conducting neurological assessments, developing personalised care plans, managing complex care needs and offering education and support to Clients and their families.

MSWA's Nursing Support Service offers a range of services, including providing quality information and holistic support for managing complex care needs related to neurological conditions through assessment, coordination, and planning to assist you in managing your healthcare needs. 

The service is available from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm, Monday to Friday, providing consistent support and care.

Yes, MSWA offers in-home nursing services for individuals who require care in the comfort of their own home. Our community-based nurses provide a range of services, including complex care management, wound care, and continence management.

Our in-house nursing services are available in suburbs within a 30 minutes radius from our metro service centres, and 1 hour radios from our regional service centres. See the fill list below. 

Perth metro in-house nursing support is available in the following suburbs: 
Alkimos, Ardross, Armadale, Ashendon, Ashfield, Banksia Grove, Baldivis, Ballajura, Bassendean, Bayswater, Beechboro, Bennett Springs, Bentley, Bertram, Bouvard, Brookdale, Burns Beach, Burswood, Camillo, Cannington, Carramar, Caversham, Champion Lakes, Clarkson, Como, Connolly, Cooloongup, Coodanup, Currambine, Dayton, Dawesville, Dianella, Dudley Park, East Rockingham, East Victoria Park, Eden Hill, Eglinton, Embleton, Erskine, Falcon, Ferndale, Forrestdale, Furnissdale, Golden Bay, Gosnells, Greenfields, Halls Head, Harrisdale, Heathridge, Herron, Hillman, Huntingdale, Iluka, Jindalee, Joondalup, Karawara, Karnup, Kelmscott, Kensington, Kiara, Kinross, Kwinana Beach, Lakelands, Leda, Leeming, Lesley, Lockridge, Madora Bay, Malaga, Mandurah, Manning, Martin, Meadow Springs, Medina, Merriwa, Mindarie, Morley, Mount Nasura, Mount Richon, Neerabup, Noranda, Orelia, Parklands, Parmelia, Port Kennedy, Quinns Rocks, Redcliffe, Ridgewood, Riverton, Rockingham, Roleystone, Rossmoyne, Safety Bay, Salter Point, San Remo, Secret Harbour, Seville Grove, Shelley, Shoalwater, Silver Sands, South Guildford, South Perth, Southern River, St James, Swan View, Tamala Park, Tapping, Victoria Park, Waikiki, Wannanup, Wanneroo, Warnbro, Waterford, Wellard, Wilson, Wungong. 

WA regional in-house nursing support is available in the following suburbs: 

• Albany region:
  Albany, Bayonet Head, Big Grove, Bornholm, Centennial Park, Cheynes, Collingwood Heights, Collingwood Park, Cuthbert, Denmark, Drome, Elleker, Emu Point, Gledhow, Gnowellen, Goode Beach, Green Range, Green Valley, Kalgan, King River, Kojaneerup South, Kronkup, Lange, Little Grove, Lockyer, Lower King, Lowlands, Manypeaks, Marbelup, McKail, Mettler, Middleton Beach, Millbrook, Milpara, Mira Mar, Mount Clarence, Mount Elphinstone, Mount Melville, Nanarup, Napier, Nullaki, Orana, Palmdale, Port Albany, Redmond, Redmond West, Robinson, Seppings, South Stirling, Spencer Park, Torbay.
• Bunbury region:
  Australind, Beela, Benger, Binningup, Boyanup, Brunswick Junction, Bunbury, Burekup, Capel, Capel River, Carey Park, College Grove, Cookernup, Crooked Brook, Dalyellup, Dardanup, Dardanup West, Davenport, East Bunbury, Eaton, Elgin, Ferguson, Forrest Beach, Gelorup, Glen Iris, Gwindinup, Harvey, Henty, Hoffman, Kemerton, Leschenault, Ludlow, Millbridge, Mornington, Myalup, North Boyanup, Paradise, Parkfield, Pelican Point, Peppermint Grove Beach, Picton, Picton East, Riverlea, Roelands, South Bunbury, Stirling Estate, Stratham, The Plains, Uduc, Usher, Vittoria, Warawarrup, Waterloo, Wellesley, Wellington Forest, Wellington Mill, Withers, Wokalup, Yarloop.
• Busselton region:
  Ambergate, Busselton, Capel, Dunsborough, Gracetown, Kealy, Ludlow, Margaret River, Marybrook, Peppermint Grove Beach, Quindalup, Reinscourt, Vasse, West Busselton, Wonnerup, Yallingup.

In-person nursing services involve a nurse visiting you at home or at an MSWA service centre to provide care. Telehealth nursing services allow you to receive care and support remotely, using video conferencing or phone calls, which is especially useful for those who may have difficulty attending in-person appointments.

To access MSWA’s Nursing services, you can contact us directly at 08 9365 4888 or complete the form provided on our website. Our team will work with you to understand your needs and arrange the appropriate services.

During a nursing assessment, an MSWA Nurse will evaluate your neurological function, which may include tests for motor skills, reflexes, and sensory perception. This assessment helps in creating a personalised care plan tailored to your specific condition and needs.

While MSWA nurses support access to palliative care services, the actual palliative care is provided by specialised providers. Our nurses work closely with these providers to ensure seamless coordination and compassionate care during this sensitive time.

MSWA Nursing services are tailored to meet the specific needs of individuals with neurological conditions. Our Nurses provide a holistic approach to care, combining clinical expertise with compassionate support. Additionally, our services are flexible, offering both in-person and telehealth options to accommodate your preferences.

Continence nursing care for people with neurological conditions involves specialised support to manage bladder and bowel function affected by neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke. 

MSWA Neurological Liaison Nurses assess individual needs, provide advice on managing symptoms, coordinate with other healthcare professionals, and help implement personalised care plans to maintain dignity, comfort, and quality of life.

No, continence care is not just for older adults. People of all ages with neurological conditions can experience bladder or bowel dysfunction. 

A nursing care plan for motor neuron disease (MND) focuses on managing symptoms, maintaining comfort, and supporting quality of life as the condition progresses. 

It may include help with the following: 

• mobility,
• breathing support and
• continence care. 

Nurses also coordinate equipment needs, provide education for families and carers, and connect people with palliative care and other specialist services when needed - for example, to obtain nutritional guidance and assistance with swallowing and communication strategies. 

A multiple sclerosis nursing care plan is a personalised support plan designed to address the needs of someone living with MS. Typically, it includes the following: 

• symptom monitoring
• medication management
• continence support
• fatigue and mobility strategies
• referrals to allied health professionals

MSWA Neurological Nurses work closely with the individual, their family, and the wider healthcare team to ensure care is coordinated and tailored to changes in disease progression and lifestyle. 

Yes, MSWA Neurological Nurses provide nursing care for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, motor neuron disease (MND), and acquired brain injuries.