Annual Professional Development Day
Monday October 13th, 2025
Newman Siena Centre 

Dr Jacinta Thorne is a physiotherapist with over 25 years’ experience in musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy, including working with athletes at East Fremantle Football Club, Perth Orioles netball team and the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS). She recently completed a PhD at Curtin University, with a focus on mild traumatic brain injury, also known as concussion. In particular, she is interested in the relationship between exercise intolerance and cardiovascular changes following concussion, thought to be related to autonomic nervous system dysfunction. As a post-doctoral researcher at Curtin University, she is involved in a range of projects exploring factors that may influence recovery following concussion, in both adults and children.

Bridging the Gap: Tailored Support for Siblings within School Settings

Siblings of children with long-term health conditions often navigate a complex emotional landscape that is frequently overlooked. These children may experience unique emotional, social, and academic challenges as they adapt to the demands placed on their families. Their needs and aspirations deserve focused attention to ensure they are not left feeling unseen or unsupported.

School nurses serve a pivotal role within the educational setting, not only as healthcare providers but also as advocates and facilitators of student well-being. Their unique position allows them to engage directly with students, listen attentively to the experiences of siblings of children with long-term health conditions, and collaborate effectively with families, educators, and other professionals.

By leveraging their clinical expertise and daily presence in schools, school nurses are well-equipped to design and implement targeted interventions that address the specific emotional, social, and academic needs of these siblings. Through thoughtful and inclusive support strategies, they can foster resilience, promote mental health, and contribute to positive educational outcomes, ensuring that no child feels overlooked or unsupported.

Hannah Tall

Hannah is an experienced Paediatric Nurse with over 25 years of dedicated service in child health, originally trained in the United Kingdom. She brings specialist expertise in Paediatric Oncology, Haematology, Complex Health Conditions, and Disability, with a strong focus on supporting children and their families through challenging healthcare journeys.

Hannah holds a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse qualification in School Nursing and spent a decade advancing child wellbeing within UK educational settings. Her work in school health was marked by a commitment to holistic care and advocacy for children's physical and emotional well-being.

After relocating to Australia, Hannah expanded her clinical scope through her role in Hospital in the Home Paediatrics, where she delivered acute and complex care in community-based environments. This experience further enriched her understanding of child and family-centred care and innovative healthcare delivery models.

Currently, Hannah works as a lecturer in paediatric nursing at Edith Cowan University (ECU), where she shares her extensive knowledge and passion for paediatric care with future generations of nurses. Her teaching is informed by deep clinical experience and a lifelong dedication to improving outcomes for children and young people.

In my 17 years of Registered Nursing, my career has taken me from the Kimberley to the Goldfields, the Wheatbelt and finally settling back into the Perth metro area. 

My background includes working within large metro hospitals, very small country nursing posts, country emergency departments, school nursing and primary care. These roles lead me to pursue my great interest in caring for children and adolescents. I completed my Graduate Diploma in Child and Adolescent Health in 2022, which coincided with the move back to the Perth metro. My varied previous roles give me a broad and holistic view of health and nursing.  

I started with Respiratory Care WA in 2023 after living and working rurally for over 10 years. The team at RCWA strive for excellence in every aspect of care delivery. It is an honour to work with such a wonderful group of highly motivated individuals. My passion for delivering high quality, evidenced based care, as well as the positive feedback we receive from our patients and their families is what drives me.  

BIO coming soon!