Jacqueline Tuffnell

Jacqueline has more than thirty years registered nursing experience in a wide range of practice areas from medical, surgical to paediatrics, continence, community nursing, palliative care, clinical tutoring, medical outreach in the Pacific, clinical governance, learning and development and aged care. She has also been a Volunteer Chaplaincy Assistant at NMDHB.

In 2019 Jacqueline completed a Master of Chaplaincy (with distinction) through University of Otago conducting insider research into the lived experience of women with pelvic surgical mesh complications. She is now a PhD candidate researching the part that advocacy plays in the healthcare chaplain’s role.

While studying, Jacqueline also works as a Senior Clinical Advisor for Presbyterian Support Central (PSC) where the goal is to deliver person-centred care to elders according to what is known as the Eden Alternative. The Eden principles assess need in terms of seven domains of wellbeing (identity, connectedness, security, autonomy, meaning, growth and joy). Alongside developing clinical elearning, participating in clinical projects and stakeholder workstreams Jacqueline also works with the chaplain team facilitating their professional development.

Jacqueline is a member of the Executive Committee of the NZ Healthcare Chaplains Association, and a consumer advisor on the Manatū Hauora Surgical Mesh Round Table. She has completed the Victoria University of Wellington microcredential in Restorative Foundations/Responses: Health and Disability, experienced the restorative approach first hand, and views restorative principles as an essential foundation to quality care in health where we don’t always get it right all of the time.

She brings to the project a broad knowledge of the systems and processes of the health sector, a passion for the ministry of Chaplaincy and a desire to ensure that it continues to grow and develop, and that spirituality is recognised, properly resourced and interwoven through NZ health care.