For Vincenzo Tassone, his independence has always been important and he wasn’t going to let something like heart failure keep him off his feet for too long.
The former Willoughby fruit shop owner has benefitted from working with Cardiac Supportive Care Transitional Nurse Practitioner Kelly Hanvey, allowing him to live at home with his wife Barbara at his side and avoid hospital.
Barbara said Kelly had proven a godsend, providing Vincenzo and herself with an outlet for questions and also acting as a conduit for other needs.
"She’s been very good, she rings up and checks on him and we’ve been referred to other services as well," Barbara said.
"When he was in hospital, Kelly came to see him a couple of times but he’s managed to be out of hospital for quite a few weeks now while working with her."
In the five short months since commencing in the role Kelly has already seen benefits for patients like Vincenzo and countless others.
"I’m here to help create that bridge between cardiology and palliative care," Kelly said.
