Mark World Stop Pressure Injury Day with an evening of practical discussion on Tuesday 17 November, 5:30–8:30pm. Join Tissue Viability CNC Lachlan McDiarmid and a panel of healthcare professionals to explore real-world approaches to pressure injury prevention, assessment and management, and the ways different disciplines can contribute to safer, more effective care.

Effective pressure injury prevention and management requires more than individual clinical expertise. It relies on a coordinated, interdisciplinary approach that brings together diverse skills and perspectives to address complex patient needs.

Join us for a special event exploring how collaboration across disciplines can strengthen pressure injury prevention, support clinical decision-making and contribute to better patient outcomes.

Hear from experienced clinicians and health professionals as they share practical insights into the unique and complementary roles involved in comprehensive pressure injury care. Discover how effective collaboration can support holistic patient care and strengthen practice across a range of healthcare settings.

Meet our Keynote Speaker:

Lachlan McDiarmid
Tissue Viability CNC, Canberra Health Services

Lachlan currently works as a Tissue Viability Clinical Nurse Consultant with the Community Care Program. He has previously worked with the Tissue Viability Unit at The Canberra Hospital and North Canberra Hospital.

Lachlan holds a Graduate Certificate in Orthopaedic Nursing and is currently completing his Master of Wound Care through Monash University. He is passionate about evidence-based practice in complex wound management and clinical education, and is the current Chair of the Wounds Australia ACT Committee.


Meet our expert panel:

Catherine West, Registered Nurse, Tissue Viability

Catherine has been a Registered Nurse for over 13 years and has specialised in wound care for the past 5 years, as the Clinical Nurse Consultant for the Tissue Viability Service at North Canberra Hospital. Catherine has completed a Graduate Certificate in Wound Care and a Masters in Acute Care Nursing.

Rebekah O'Hare, Senior Occupational Therapist, Specialised Wheelchair and Posture Seating Service

Rebekah is an Occupational Therapist with more than 15 years of experience working across acute, rehabilitation, community, and seating services in Australia and New Zealand.

In her role with the Specialised Wheelchair and Posture Seating Service at Canberra Health Services, she provides consultation to therapists and clients with complex seating, positioning, and pressure care needs across a range of ages and clinical presentations. Her work includes pressure injury prevention and management, postural support, and complex wheelchair and seating prescription.

Rebekah also provides pressure care education to occupational therapists and regularly collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to support complex clinical decision-making. She is passionate about person-centred, practical pressure care solutions that can be successfully integrated into everyday life. She strongly believes that the best outcomes are achieved through collaboration, where disciplines work together to balance clinical needs with what matters most to the individual.

Michelle Ho, Dietitian

Michelle Ho is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with Canberra Health Services, providing nutrition care across community healthcare settings. She has a particular interest in providing practical nutrition advice whilst collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to help optimise pressure injury prevention and management.

Lorraine De Vries, Physiotherapist

An experienced aged care clinician, Lorraine has worked across acute care, community health, disability, and aged care settings, with a particular focus on older persons' care since 2000. Following postgraduate study and involvement in ACT best-practice initiatives, she has developed extensive expertise in supporting older people with complex health needs across community and residential care settings.

Her areas of interest include functional mobility, chronic disease management, pain, wound care, falls prevention, continence, and healthy ageing. Lorraine works collaboratively with clients, families, multidisciplinary teams, and specialist services to develop individualised strategies that maximise independence, function, and quality of life.

Meet our Event Host:

Jan Scott
Nurse Practitioner, Wound Management and Dementia Care

An experienced Nurse Practitioner specialising in the care of older people, with particular interests in wound management and dementia care. Extensive experience has been gained across a variety of healthcare settings, including residential aged care, community service providers, general practice, and specialist community-based services. Currently self-employed, providing comprehensive clinical consultations and expert care to older Australians receiving support through the Support at Home program.


What You'll Take Away: 

• Gain practical strategies to strengthen interdisciplinary communication and collaboration
• Explore how different clinical perspectives can inform comprehensive assessment and clinical decision-making
• Discover approaches to individualise pressure injury prevention and management for patients with complex needs
• Hear real-world insights and experiences from clinicians working across different healthcare settings
• Identify practical ideas you can apply in your own clinical practice

Whether you work in acute care, community, residential aged care or another healthcare setting, this session is an opportunity to broaden your perspective, connect with fellow healthcare professionals and discover how working together across disciplines can strengthen pressure injury care and support better outcomes for patients.

Details:

• Certificates of attendance will be issued for those who attend, equivalent to 3 hours of CPD
• Light supper (finger foods) and refreshments provided