IBD affects approximately one in 250 Australians, and prevalence and severity of the diseases are increasing. Patients often require lifelong immunosuppressive medications, and a significant number also require surgery at least once in their lifetime. Due to the increasing complexity of managing these chronic diseases, it is almost impossible for a gastroenterologist alone to provide the support that is required to people with IBD. 
There is a constant need to respond to issues that arise in this vulnerable group of patients, and this newly created nurse role provides an opportunity to improve service delivery and patient experience at St John of God Murdoch Hospital and in the local community.
St John of God Health Care Gastroenterologist Dr Oliver Waters, believes the specialist nurse will help patients to more easily navigate the complex treatment journey, access therapies sooner, and therefore achieve better health outcomes.
The role will be reviewed at the end of a two-year pilot, with the ultimate goal of continuing to provide vital support to IBD patients and their families for years to come.
There is a constant need to respond to issues that arise in this vulnerable group of patients, and this newly created nurse role provides an opportunity to improve service delivery and patient experience at St John of God Murdoch Hospital and in the local community.
St John of God Health Care Gastroenterologist Dr Oliver Waters, believes the specialist nurse will help patients to more easily navigate the complex treatment journey, access therapies sooner, and therefore achieve better health outcomes.
“Unfortunately, many IBD patients currently do not have appropriate access to effective and proven therapies. An IBD clinical nurse is a significant step towards solving this problem and will provide the ongoing support that patients desperately require,” said Dr Waters.St John of God Foundation CEO Bianca Pietralla said the impact of the McCusker Charitable Foundation’s gift will be felt by many WA families.
“It’s a life-long journey for IBD patients from diagnosis, through to treatment, and the ongoing management of symptoms in their day-to-day lives,” said Bianca.Following a competitive recruitment process, St John of God Murdoch Hospital has appointed a Clinical Nurse Specialist Ashlee Freeburn, to the McCusker IBD Clinical Nurse Specialist position, named in honour of the family.
“This crucial position will act as a bridge that links patients and their treatments, and make a real difference to the lives of so many families. We are so grateful to the McCusker Charitable Foundation for their generosity and compassion for patients living with IBD.”
The role will be reviewed at the end of a two-year pilot, with the ultimate goal of continuing to provide vital support to IBD patients and their families for years to come.