A former Silver Chain manager who led a state-wide clinical service will run the Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI) clinics based at the Bentley Campus and other sites across Western Australia.
As CHIRI Clinics Manager, Carolyn Lawrence will spearhead the operations of the clinics, creating a culture of interprofessional collaboration.
Ms Lawrence’s career has focused on health service delivery. After initially qualifying as a physiotherapist she has since worked as a health service manager for general practice, allied health and nursing organisations including the Canning Division of General Practice and Silver Chain.
She also holds an MBA and has contributed to a number of pioneering healthcare programs including the Building on Quality in General Practice and the GP After-Hours Co-operative.
Ms Lawrence said she was attracted to the CHIRI clinics’ innovation and leadership in interprofessional practice.
“This concept means that Curtin’s health sciences students are taught to work as a healthcare team while out on practice to ensure improved safety and the delivery of high quality of care for their clients, families and communities,” Ms Lawrence said.
“I’ve already seen the big differences that Curtin’s unique interprofessional model of care has been making at CHIRI clinics operating at the Uniting Church’s Rowethorpe Village aged care facility in Bentley and at the Challis Early Childhood Centre in Armadale.
“I’m currently looking at extending interprofessional practice in the clinics by developing and trialling new models of care.
“For example, staff at the CHIRI clinics have developed a care coordination model for people with heart failure to support them in the community, monitor their signs and symptoms and prevent readmission to hospital.”
To find out more about the range of services provided at the CHIRI clinics, including those available to the public, please visit http://healthsciences.curtin.edu.au/clinical_services/index.cfm
Contact:
Kristy Jones, Public Relations, Curtin University
Tel: 08 9266 9085, Mobile: 0401 103 877, Email: k.jones@curtin.edu.au
Web: http://curtin.edu.au
