Achieving change through clinical leadership: The rewarding journey of advocating for perioperative nurses and nurse surgical assistants in Australia

Authors

  • Dr Toni Hains OAM Nil
  • Catherine Smith

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26550/2209-1092.1385

Keywords:

clinical leadership, perioperative nursing, health policy reform, patient access, nursing advocacy

Abstract

This paper explores the transformative impact of clinical leadership within the perioperative setting of the Australian healthcare system. It details the grassroots advocacy led by perioperative clinicians, particularly nurse practitioners, who invested significant personal time and effort to address inequities in patient access to surgical care. Their work resulted in a landmark policy change under the Medical Benefits Schedule. This advancement not only improves financial equity for patients but also strengthens the professional standing and sustainability of perioperative nurse practitioners. The journey was complex and time-intensive, and came with personal financial costs to those involved, yet it exemplifies the power of clinician-led reform.

Author Biographies

Dr Toni Hains OAM, Nil

Toni has worked in the perioperative setting for more than 30 years. She is passionate about advancing the role of the perioperative nurse and providing equitable and effective perioperative care to patients. She completed a PhD on the legitimacy, effectiveness and equity of the nurse as surgical assistant in Australia. She is a fellow of ACORN and the Australian College of Nursing. She played a major role in changing government policy to increase access and equity for Australian surgical patients for which she was awarded an OAM in 2025. 

Catherine Smith

Catherine has a wealth of nursing knowledge having worked across many acute care and chronic disease specialties in her 30+ year career. She has sat on multiple professional nursing boards including ACORN. She is a fellow of both ACORN and the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners. She founded and is the Director of WHY Clinic which focuses on bariatric care. She has been instrumental in changing government policy from the perspective of an individual clinician and a board member.

References

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Published

08-09-2025

How to Cite

Hains, T., & Smith, C. (2025). Achieving change through clinical leadership: The rewarding journey of advocating for perioperative nurses and nurse surgical assistants in Australia. Journal of Perioperative Nursing, 38(3), 14–17. https://doi.org/10.26550/2209-1092.1385

Issue

Vol. 38 No. 3 (2025)

Section

Discussion papers

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Dr Toni Hains OAM, Catherine Smith

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.