Queensland Health Nurse and Midwife Navigator Evaluation:

This report provides a detailed review of the Nurse and Midwife evaluation that was conducted between March 2018 and August 2021. The evaluation was funded by the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer (OCNMO). The aim of the evaluation was to examine the novel nurse and midwife navigator role that was implemented by Queensland Health in 2016, as part of an election promise (Nursing Guarantee Policy) by the newly appointed Labour Government in Queensland. The promise was to fund 400 nurse...
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This report provides a detailed review of the Nurse and Midwife evaluation that was conducted between March 2018 and August 2021. The evaluation was funded by the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer (OCNMO). The aim of the evaluation was to examine the novel nurse and midwife navigator role that was implemented by Queensland Health in 2016, as part of an election promise (Nursing Guarantee Policy) by the newly appointed Labour Government in Queensland. The promise was to fund 400 nurse and midwife navigator positions, to be allocated to the 16 hospital and health services over the next four years (Queensland Health, 2016). During the four-year implementation phase, funding and support for the navigator positions was provided by OCNMO, with the funding thereafter, being distributed to the Hospital and Health services for ongoing employment of roles. The research adopted a longitudinal, mixed methods approach using Theory of Change as the underpinning framework, which allows for an iterative process, allowing for revision and feedback to participants and stakeholders at identified time points. Theory of Change is frequently used where political, social and economic factors influence projects, and where development requires evidence of sustainability, particularly where there are varying levels of complexity (Archibald, Sharrock, Buckley, & Cook, 2016; De Silva et al., 2014). The evaluation was multifaceted and examined the following parameters;? Social impact focusing on patient wellbeing, coping with the illness and quality of life;? Economic outcomes with specific reference to health service optimisation and utilisation;? Models of care variances within the nurse and midwife navigator model; and? Professional capacity and capability of the nurse and midwife navigators.