Connecting older Australians with vital healthcare can be a logistical challenge in regional communities, but one passionate nurse at Proserpine Nursing Home (PNH) is making it her personal mission to bridge the gap.
Enrolled Nurse Julia Mayne has stepped up as the internal champion for a new digital health initiative, ensuring advanced telehealth technology becomes a seamless part of daily life for local seniors.
Her dedication comes after Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) rolled out mobile telehealth carts to 39 participating residential aged care homes (RACHs) across the region, from Thursday Island down to Mackay.
Equipped with state-of-the-art Visionflex technology, the carts are digital clinics on wheels, with high-definition cameras, a large patient-facing monitor, and specialised clinical tools for remote examinations.
Recognising the immense potential of the new equipment, Julia took it upon herself to ensure the cart is always prepared, available, and easy for her colleagues to use.
By proactively setting up the system and guiding fellow staff, she has been instrumental in embedding digital consultations into the home’s everyday practice.
“I was really excited when the cart arrived, knowing that this will change the opportunity for our residents without them having to leave the facility to liaise with appointments,” Julia said.
“Our residents feel supported by having access to their GP and specialist with a face-to-face appointment.
“They are able to take their time asking questions with their specialist, rather than just having a telephone interaction.”
Julia said the technology had been particularly impactful for vulnerable residents, including those accessing oncology and Specialist Palliative Care Rural Telehealth (SPaRTa) services.
“Residents are already emotional without having to get in a car and travel, so it has helped many of our palliative care residents,” she said.
Because of Julia’s proactive approach, the team at PNH now routinely connects residents with an extensive network of care that would otherwise require stressful, exhausting travel.
Residents can now see Hospital and Health Service (HHS) clinics, geriatricians, palliative care specialists, and mental health professionals from the comfort of their familiar surroundings.
Beyond medical clinical appointments, Julia’s efforts are also helping to break down social isolation.
The team frequently uses the cart to help residents make social calls, allowing them to see and speak with loved ones who live away, or including family members remotely in important care plan reviews.
Proserpine Nursing Home Recruitment Officer Kasey Richardson said: “We’re truly fortunate to be able to reach allied health and families across the region, and telehealth services have made that connection so much easier.
“It helps us communicate clearly, coordinate support quickly, and care for people with kindness and consistency.”
The success seen at Proserpine highlights exactly why uplifting local digital capability is so vital.
Thanks to local champions like Julia, the initiative is proving that with the right support, modern healthcare can be convenient, dignified, and deeply personal.