A new nurse navigator role at Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) is paving the way for safer, more culturally responsive healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients undergoing elective surgery.
Nurse Navigator Kazandra Perkins, a proud Quandamooka woman and experienced nurse with more than 25 years in the profession, is developing the model of care to ensure culturally safe, person-centred care for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people from the community.
With years of hospital nursing and over a decade of experience in First Nations community health, Kaz brings both cultural insight and clinical expertise to this new role.
“My role allows me to walk alongside our Mob throughout their healthcare journey, making sure they feel culturally safe, heard, and supported,” said Kaz.
“I act as a bridge between the hospital system and our community, helping to navigate complex processes, advocate for culturally appropriate care, and ensure our Mob are connected to the right supports at the right time in the right place.”
The nurse navigator role was created to address the unique challenges Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples face when navigating the hospital system – particularly the complex journey to elective surgery.
Kaz said the care pathway aims to resolve the fragmented services, multitudes of people and unfamiliar routines in a big city hospital which can lead to missed appointments, incomplete treatments, or failed episodes of care.
“It’s about being that one constant,” she said. “The reality is that someone coming into a big hospital might encounter multiple people across different departments. That can be overwhelming, especially for Mob coming off Country. I’m here to be that familiar face, someone they can trust to guide them through it all.”
Kaz’s involvement starts early in the patient journey, often from outpatient bookings or the pre-admission clinic where she meets clients for the first time. She then supports them on the day of surgery as the first point of contact, walks them to the surgical care unit, checks in post-operatively, and is essential to discharge planning and follow-up in the community.
The new position also plays a critical role in improving the continuity of care. Kaz conducts wellness calls, facilitates referrals for additional support, and helps convert appointments to telehealth in her quest to ensure a safe and successful episode of care.
Her close work with Elders, liaison officers, and health support workers helps align cultural and clinical supports, breaking down silos within the system.
“Having a connection with Mob really helps build rapport with patients. Talking about who we know in the community is part of building trust.”
The role is already receiving strong support from clinical areas including Pre-admission clinic, Surgical Care Unit, PACU, and Specialist Outpatients, who have embraced the care pathway Kaz has developed and are not shy about getting her involved in new cases as they arrive.
‘What we are building complements the existing services making sure they feel safe and supported from the first appointment to recovery at home,” she said. “When we provide the right supports at the right time in the right place, we prevent failed episodes of care and empower our people to take control of their health.”
Kaz is also proud to be part of the inaugural Tjurtu Leadership Program, a culturally grounded initiative supporting First Nations health professionals and she says the program has further strengthened her leadership skills and commitment to systemic change within healthcare.
“It’s a privilege to walk alongside our people,” said Kazandra. “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.”
PAH’s Division of Surgery were instrumental in creating the role with the support of the PAH Making Tracks Committee to address the gaps for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients scheduled for elective surgery.
To learn more about Metro South Health’s commitment health equity, see the strategy here.