Horse accident patient nominates Nurse Navigator

Nine-year-old Belle has nominated Nurse Navigator Kate Trenoweth in the latest Juiced TV Super Hero Awards, supported by QSuper.

Part of the paediatric trauma team at Queensland Children’s Hospital (QCH), Kate met Belle after she had fallen from her horse on her grandparents’ property outside of Kingaroy.

Belle was flown to Brisbane and admitted to QCH with a broken jaw, three breaks in her pelvis and internal bleeding. The severity of her injuries was likened to a full-impact car crash.

“While I am chuffed to be nominated for this award, I’m also very humbled because I am just one of many healthcare professionals who contribute to the care of our patients,” Kate said.

Belle’s mother, Jess, told QSuper the first 24 hours were frightening for the family, with Belle rushed into several emergency surgeries.

“Due the variety of her injuries, she was being treated by multiple teams and doctors which was overwhelming to listen to,” Jess said.

“We met Kate about three days into Belle’s hospitalisation. She became the familiar face and person who could get us to a place of understanding. Belle had a lot of wonderful nurses, but the bond she formed with Kate was so special. We know she was just doing her job, but to us it felt like she went above and beyond.

“When we heard QSuper was giving us the opportunity to nominate a healthcare hero, Belle immediately said it had to be Kate.”

During Belle’s hospital admission, she bonded with Kate over her red scrubs, which Kate began to wear deliberately when she knew she was seeing Belle.

“Belle definitely had her ups and downs dealing with her hospitalisation, but even on the trickier days she showed great resilience,” Kate said.

“My whole team were absolutely blown away by this little girl. She was so tiny and fatigued, but she had absolute spirit, personality and ‘pizzazz’.”

As a Nurse Navigator, Kate often assumes the role of a conduit between the doctors and the families of paediatric patients. More often than not, she quickly becomes the crucial support for someone who has experienced trauma.

Kate's passion for treating critically injured children has been consistent throughout her career, having previously been a Paediatric Emergency Nurse in the acute resuscitative phase.

“My career has been really rewarding, but also challenging at times. It was important for me to continue to follow the journey of these children, particularly with children like Belle, beyond the doors of the emergency department,” Kate said.

“I honestly think the true heroes are children like Belle and their families who show such courage and resilience in the face of what can be a really challenging journey.”

Belle could not contain the excitement of Kate's nomination and told her almost immediately. Kate said hearing about her nomination made her feel blessed to have had such a profound impact on Belle’s life.

“We are grateful every day, because as terrible as it was, it could have been so much worse,” Jess said.

“I want to thank QSuper for making these awards available and for giving families like ours a chance to acknowledge the people who have helped us through hard times.”

QSuper CEO Michael Pennisi said he was proud to support Juiced TV and the awards program that celebrates the superheroes of the healthcare sector who put others’ best interests first.

QSuper supports the work of medical professionals like Kate, who provide vital services to Queensland communities and families.