Drawing up the plan for Australia’s Nurse Practitioners

The Morrison Government is developing a new 10-year strategic plan to help Australia’s highly skilled and respected nurse practitioners, enhancing the way they work as they deliver essential health care for Australians. 

 

As part of the strategic plan, the Government is today commencing consultations for the plan, which aims to address workforce issues and enhance the delivery of patient care.

 

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said there are more than 2,250 nurse practitioners in Australia who work across the health system including in our hospitals, aged care facilities, mental health services, and primary healthcare services.

 

“This is the first opportunity for the community, health providers, clinicians, and experts to make a contribution to this new plan, which will be delivered by the middle of next year,” Minister Hunt said.

 

“We want to ensure that the 10-year plan improves health outcomes, addresses workforce challenges and ensures that Australians can continue to access the support they need.”

 

Registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, Nurse Practitioners are focused on improving access to treatment, and dedicated to improving health outcomes of all Australians, particularly at risk populations, including aged care residents, Indigenous

Australians and those living in regional, rural and remote areas.

 

Nurse Practitioners can be involved in a wide range of health care, providing advanced assessment and complete episodes of care to patients, including minor surgical procedures, ordering diagnostic tests, and initiating or ceasing medicines. 

 

Nurse Practitioners also work collaboratively with other health professionals around planning, delivery, and evaluation of care for their patients.

 

The consultations will engage a wide range of stakeholders to better understand the issues that can impact Nurse Practitioner delivery of care, as well as innovations or new approaches.

 

Stakeholders can inform the development of the plan through a survey available on the Department of Health’s Consultation Hub - www.consultations.health.gov.au. Alternatively, written submissions will be accepted to nursepolicy@health.gov.au.

 

Consultation will close on Monday 20 December 2021.