You are 16 years old, injured in a football game. You are fitted with a halo to stabilise a serious neck injury. You are overwhelmed with a hospital stay in an unfamiliar place - mum and dad are equally overwhelmed.
These are the things that First Nations Nurse Navigator at PA Hospital, Kazandra Perkins works through with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families navigating the hospital every day.
Sixteen-year-old Jarlii and his mum Michelle are one of those families who benefited from a connection with Kaz who checked in with them daily for ongoing support and cultural safety throughout his journey to recovery.
On 26 April, mum Michelle had travelled from Rockhampton to Brisbane where Jarlii boards while attending school, to watch him play footy.
“The seriousness of Jarlii’s injury came as a shock. It was a really hard time for us emotionally,” said Michelle.
“When I first got to the hospital straight from the footy game it was a rocky start and I was really confused,” said Jarlii.
Meeting First Nations Nurse Navigator Kazandra Perkins changed everything for the family.
“All the staff from the emergency department to acute short stay, to the orthopaedics team and social worker in Ward 2B were really professional and very good at working with people with significant trauma,” said Michelle.
“But Kaz was just amazing. She was yarning with Jarlii and doing it our way. She was supporting him around what questions to ask and turning up for us every day; there was constant communication. Jarlii was calling her aunty because of how strong the connection was.
“We would also like to acknowledge the patient and carer support provided by Renal Care First Nations Health Workers Brett and Annika.”
Kaz’s role with elective and emergency surgery connects her with patients and their families at a time when they are confused or coping with the unfamiliar surrounds of the hospital.
She, as well as First Nations Nurse Navigator for Cancer Shanon Nealon, offers the added cultural safety they need and a consistent presence in a giant facility that is difficult to understand. They help connect the dots.
“It was a privilege to walk alongside Jarlii and his family as they navigated the health system, which we know can be complex,” said Kaz.
“We worked together to plan for rehabilitation after leaving hospital, patient travel subsidy scheme, accommodation and funding, links with Metro North and GP services through ATSICHS.
“Helping with the logistics is important but connection is the real key to my role and the reason I’m so passionate about what I do.
“Every connection is a chance to build trust, promote healing, and ensure our Mob feel safe and respected in a system that hasn’t always supported them. This work is about making a lasting difference.”