From 21 to 25 July 2025, Interplast Nurse Educators Ms. Daisy Sargeant and Ms. Skye Giannino conducted a vital nurse education training program at the National Referral Hospital (NRH), aimed at enhancing the skills and capacity of local nursing professionals.
Interplast has been providing access to plastic and reconstructive surgery services in the Solomon Islands since 1984, primarily at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara, and through outreach surgical programs in Gizo. Since 2009, Interplast has also been conducting a nurse education program in partnership with the National Referral Hospital, covering key areas such as wound management, resuscitation, post-operative care, and documentation. In addition, Interplast has also been delivering allied health mentoring programs to support follow-up care and Luk Afterem Legi which is a multi-year program focused on diabetic foot care.
Interplast has a strong and ongoing relationship with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services as evidenced by a current Partnership Agreement between Interplast Australia and New Zealand and the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS).
Importantly, this visit was carried out on a voluntary basis for the Solomon Islands, incurring no additional costs to the Solomon Islands Government. This collaboration reflects the spirit of Pacific solidarity, where care and support are expressed through meaningful action and shared commitment to community wellbeing.
Activities Undertaken During the Visit
In a week-long nurse education training program at the National Referral Hospital, the team engaged 12 nursing participants in an intensive and inspiring workshop.
The training program was designed to:
- Provide education and training to promote outstanding patient care in alignment with the NRH Mission and Values.
- Contribute to building a sustainable and skilled nursing workforce with increased capacity and scope.
- Support systemic change through advocacy, training, partnerships, and ongoing support.
Throughout the week, participants explored a range of practical and critical care topics, including:
- Effective communication and teamwork
- Adult and paediatric patient assessments
- Recognising clinical deterioration
- Sepsis detection and management
- Chest pain and diabetes care
- Fluid balance monitoring
- Mentorship for junior nurses and students
- Wound healing and documentation best practices
The training was highly interactive, incorporating reflective activities that empowered participants to identify key takeaways and apply new knowledge directly to their areas of specialty. The result was enhanced nursing practice and a shared commitment to delivering high-quality care across the health system.
Significance of the Visit
The visit brought significant skills and knowledge to the Nurses as the Hospital is working towards improving its clinical governance framework to strengthen quality and safety of clinical services through robust systems, protocols and practices.
Speaking at the end of the event, the participating nurse (his name….) on behalf of the National Referral Hospital and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services acknowledges the valuable contribution of Interplast and extends its appreciation to Ms. Sargeant and Ms. Giannino for their dedication to strengthening the capacity of Solomon Islands’ healthcare professionals.
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