A new, 10-year strategic plan for Nurse Practitioners is to address workforce issues and enhance the delivery of patient care, with the Department of Health releasing a consultation paper to help guide the plan’s development.
In a statement, the Department said the purpose of the Nurse Practitioner 10 Year Plan was to describe a set of actions that could be taken to address workforce issues of national significance and enhance the delivery of nursing care to the Australian community.
“A Nurse Practitioner is a registered nurse with the experience, expertise and authority to diagnose and treat people of all ages with a variety of acute or chronic health conditions,” the Department said.
“Nurse Practitioners have completed additional university study at Master’s degree level.”
It said the Plan would include one-to-three-year, five-year and 10-year goals and be developed concurrently with development of the National Nursing Strategy, due to the role Nurse Practitioners played in broader nursing career pathways and health care outcomes for patients.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt said there were more than 2,250 Nurse Practitioners in Australia who worked across the health system, in 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,” Mr 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,” he said.
“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.”
Mr Hunt said Nurse Practitioners could be involved in a wide range of health care, provide advanced assessment and complete episodes of care to patients, including minor surgical procedures, ordering diagnostic tests and initiating or ceasing medicines.
The Minister said Nurse Practitioners also worked collaboratively with other health professionals around planning, delivery and evaluation of care for their patients.
The Department’s 19-page Nurse Practitioner 10 Year Plan Consultation paper can be accessed at this PS News link.
