Nurse-led education driving better patient care

A recent Mini Spinal Conference at Southern Cross Wellington Hospital, initiated and organised by long-serving nurse Linda Gibson, brought together nurses, allied health professionals, specialists, and patients to strengthen knowledge and practice around spinal care.

Born from a recognised gap in spinal education (following the discontinuation of the national orthopaedic nursing conference in 2022) Linda saw an opportunity to bridge that gap locally. Her vision was simple but powerful: to ensure employees at Southern Cross Wellington Hospital could continue to access the professional development and practical knowledge needed to provide the highest standard of care.

The conference covered the full journey of spinal surgery, from pre-op planning and surgical options through to physio, ward care, and pain management. One of the most powerful elements came from hearing a patient’s perspective which gave attendees fresh insight into the lived experience of spinal surgery.

Practical, hands-on learning was also a highlight. Nurses were able to engage with surgical equipment supported by the Medtronic team and theatre staff, making technical knowledge more tangible.

Feedback from attendees reflected the impact:

“The surgical perspective and choice of medication from the anaesthetist was very insightful. I felt I was able to step into their shoes.”

“Listening to the patient’s perspective was food for thought and will change how I support patients at discharge.”

Linda’s leadership

The driving force behind the conference was Linda Gibson, who has been part of Southern Cross Wellington Hospital for 13 years. Linda has a long and diverse career in nursing from ward and intensive care nursing to Plunket, paediatrics, and neonatal care across New Zealand, Melbourne, and Edinburgh.

Now working at the Southern Cross Wellington Specialist Centre, Linda supports credentialled medical practitioners and regularly connects with orthopaedic patients post-discharge, giving her deep insight into their experiences and needs.

Linda’s passion for education and improving patient outcomes has long been evident — from organising breast cancer breakfasts and mid-winter balls, to now leading initiatives that directly change clinical practice.

For Linda, the true success of the conference lies in hearing attendees share how it has already shifted their practice: whether it’s anaesthetists exploring alternative pain relief pathways, nurses better prepared to support post-op constipation management, or specialists explaining more about surgical outcomes to patients.

Supporting ongoing education

Southern Cross Healthcare is proud to support initiatives like the Southern Cross Wellington Hospital Mini Spinal Conference that empower staff with knowledge, confidence, and innovation in patient care. Education is at the heart of excellent healthcare, and this event showed the difference that nurse-led leadership can make in bridging gaps, upskilling teams, and ultimately improving outcomes for patients.

As Linda puts it, at Southern Cross Healthcare, “you are encouraged to fly with wings” — and this conference is proof of just how far that inspiration can go.