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Home grown professor takes on new challenge

30 May 2008

Hunter New England Health and the University of Newcastle welcome the appointment of Dr Isabel Higgins as new Professor of Nursing (Older Person Care).

Professor Higgins will play a vital role in changing the way healthcare for older people is delivered in the future by researching and developing new models of evidence-based care.

"My work is all about looking at the way we care for older people now and how we can change our service delivery in the future to better care for older people," Dr Higgins said.

"I will oversee a number of projects in development by Hunter New England Health staff.

"For instance, one major project I'm working on will help our staff to identify patients at risk of delirium. Another is a project designed to enhance pain management for older people."

Professor Higgins appointment has been made possible thanks to conjoint funding shared between the University of Newcastle and Hunter New England Health. She is well known within both institutions.

Prof Higgins commenced her nursing career at the Royal Newcastle Hospital and completed her university nursing qualifications at the University of Newcastle.

Head of the University's School of Nursing and Midwifery, Professor Mike Hazelton, said it was rewarding to see a University graduate rise through the ranks and take on the role of Professor.

Dr Higgins has previously held academic appointments in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Newcastle. Her most previous position was as a clinical nurse consultant with John Hunter hospitalâ€™s Division of Medicine and Centre for Practice Opportunity and Development in Hunter New England Health.

Hunter New England Health's Director of Nursing and Midwifery Chris Kewley said Dr Higgins brings with her a wealth of experience which will further enhance the strength of service delivery for older people into the future.

Dr Higgins has also travelled internationally during her career, including to the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Thailand, Korea, Singapore, the Republic of the Maldives, and Hong Kong where she taught postgraduate nursing studies.

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