Marrow Matters: Developing and Evaluating a Nurse Practitioner-Led Model of Care for Severe Aplastic Anaemia 

2026–2029 (Fiona Riewoldt Nursing and Allied Health Fellowship): Marrow Matters: Developing and evaluating a Nurse Practitioner-led model of care to improve clinical outcomes and patient and family-centred care for Severe Aplastic Anaemia. Maddie Gilsenan, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the Children’s Cancer Centre at The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. 

Severe Aplastic Anaemia is a rare and life-threatening Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome that requires intensive treatment, careful monitoring and long-term follow-up. 

There are currently no standardised national clinical guidelines for children with Severe Aplastic Anaemia in Australia. This can lead to variation in treatment decision-making, supportive care, monitoring and follow-up between healthcare settings. 

Through the Fiona Riewoldt Nursing and Allied Health Fellowship, Maddie Gilsenan will develop and evaluate a coordinated Nurse Practitioner-led model of care for children with Severe Aplastic Anaemia and their families. 

The model will be integrated within a new bone marrow transplant clinic at The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, co-led by Dr Lorna McLeman and Dr David Hughes. It will focus on improving clinical pathways, family-centred care, psychosocial support, communication and long-term follow-up. 

The project will develop a standardised, evidence-based clinical practice guideline for paediatric Severe Aplastic Anaemia, establish a joint medical and Nurse Practitioner-led bone marrow failure clinic, and create education resources for patients, families, nurses and regional clinicians. 

By creating a more consistent and coordinated approach to care, the project aims to improve clinical outcomes and the experiences of children with Severe Aplastic Anaemia and their families.