Nursing and Midwifery Walkarounds: Empowering Staff to Achieve Best Practice
Tracks
Track 4
| Thursday, July 24, 2025 |
| 2:05 PM - 2:25 PM |
| Ballroom |
Overview
Presenters; Natalie Shiel, Sarah Fletcher
Speaker
Ms Natalie Shiel
Slhd Nurse Manager Clinical Practice
Sydney Local Health District
Nursing and Midwifery Walkarounds: Empowering Staff to Achieve Best Practice
2:05 PM - 2:25 PMAbstract
Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) has always prioritised the delivery of high-quality, safe care. Previously, support for ACHS accreditation was provided via site visits by the Nursing and Midwifery Executive Team. The introduction of short notice accreditation in 2023 required a more comprehensive approach. The Nursing and Midwifery Walkarounds (NaMWA) initiative was developed to support accreditation and empower nurses and midwives to drive local improvements.
NaMWA helps teams align practices with NSQHS Standards and relevant policies, empowering staff to take ownership of their professional practice. The NaMWA team conducts regular walkarounds, engaging with clinical teams, observing patient care, and providing immediate feedback on best practice, policy compliance, and patient safety. This direct and appreciative interaction helps nurses and midwives feel confident in their ability to meet national standards and encourages them to reflect on and enhance their daily practices
The NaMWA team focuses on building connections via the use of appreciative enquiry and graded assertiveness. The process to actively involves nurses and midwives in identifying areas for improvement, aiming to build a sense of ownership and responsibility. Immediate feedback and advice about improvement areas helps strengthen practices and highlighting strengths boosts confidence in delivering high-quality care.
NaMWA promotes a culture of continuous improvement, where nurses and midwives feel valued and supported. It emphasises that they are not only responsible for providing care but also for improving team standards. This empowerment fosters pride and commitment to best practice. Early feedback suggests NaMWA is positively impacting culture and driving change.
NaMWA has been well-received, with early results showing improved compliance, staff engagement, and confidence. The program empowers nurses and midwives by giving them a direct role in enhancing care delivery. Ongoing evaluation will assess NaMWA’s contribution to fostering a culture of safety, quality, and professional empowerment
NaMWA helps teams align practices with NSQHS Standards and relevant policies, empowering staff to take ownership of their professional practice. The NaMWA team conducts regular walkarounds, engaging with clinical teams, observing patient care, and providing immediate feedback on best practice, policy compliance, and patient safety. This direct and appreciative interaction helps nurses and midwives feel confident in their ability to meet national standards and encourages them to reflect on and enhance their daily practices
The NaMWA team focuses on building connections via the use of appreciative enquiry and graded assertiveness. The process to actively involves nurses and midwives in identifying areas for improvement, aiming to build a sense of ownership and responsibility. Immediate feedback and advice about improvement areas helps strengthen practices and highlighting strengths boosts confidence in delivering high-quality care.
NaMWA promotes a culture of continuous improvement, where nurses and midwives feel valued and supported. It emphasises that they are not only responsible for providing care but also for improving team standards. This empowerment fosters pride and commitment to best practice. Early feedback suggests NaMWA is positively impacting culture and driving change.
NaMWA has been well-received, with early results showing improved compliance, staff engagement, and confidence. The program empowers nurses and midwives by giving them a direct role in enhancing care delivery. Ongoing evaluation will assess NaMWA’s contribution to fostering a culture of safety, quality, and professional empowerment
Biography
Natalie is the Nurse Manager for Clinical Practice at Sydney Local Health District. With over 25 years of nursing experience, she has held various leadership roles, including Director of Nursing for SLHD’s COVID-19 Operations. In 2023, she was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for services to nursing.
