Judy Smith - Client Advocate
RDNS SA has appointed Judy Smith as its first Client Advocate.
Judy Smith will be a voice for all clients and patients and will take responsibility for enhanced communication between RDNS staff and their clients. Judy was the highly-respected and widely-known RDNS Chief Nurse for 10 years. Her return delivers on a RDNS’ commitment to be a truly client-centric health service.
Judy’s appointment will be of particular value to clients for whom communication does not come easily, such as those from Non English Speaking Background (NESB), those with mental health conditions or simply clients who have more complex needs. She is a highly respected member of the health care community in South Australia and is currently a member of the Pharmacy Regulation Authority SA and the SA Safety and Quality Council. She is also the former Chair of the SA Statewide Rehabilitation Clinical Network and a former member of the Department of Health and Clinical Senate Executive team.
In her new role, Judy is also charged with ensuring that staff understand the importance of effective communication and actively incorporate this tenet as part of their daily service delivery.
“We are in an age when information is so much more readily available, Smith said. Patients are better-informed and more inquisitive about the nature of the service they receive, as encouraged by the SA Charter of Health and Community Services Rights.”
The Charter stipulates all those who use the Australian health system receive high-quality, safe patient care, are fully informed on all aspects of their treatment and have a right to ask questions and make choices.
“We want clients to be satisfied with the care they receive from both a physical and an emotional perspective. They should feel comfortable in questioning any aspect of their care and know that we welcome their feedback, Smith said.”
Smith’s achievements are extensive. She was a winner of the Nursing Excellence Awards in Leadership 2005, a finalist in the Telstra Business Women’s Awards, 2005 and a Nominee in the Pride of Australia Awards in 2005 and 2010. She was also an adjunct lecturer at the University of South Australia from 2005-2008 and is a Fellow of the
Royal College of Nursing Australia.
“Providing the best care for clients has always been the RDNS philosophy but we want to cement RDNS’s reputation as a truly client-centric organisation”, added RDNS SA Chief Operating Officer Angela Littleford. “Our commitment towards this objective is reflected in our decision to hire someone of Judy’s calibre and experience to lead us on this front.”
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