Nurse clinics: Collaboration and connectedness

Earlier this month the RACGP published their position on independent nurse-led clinics in primary health care. Many of the points made in this policy are compelling, including that to ensure whole-patient care and to avoid fragmentation of care, nursing services should be provided in a comprehensive and integrated primary health care setting wherever possible.

Over the next three years APNA will continue work initiating and supporting nurse clinics through the demonstration model to provide blueprints for the innovative delivery of clinical care by nurses in primary health care. The projects focus on developing nurse clinics in primary care in collaboration with primary health care nurses, the general practice or healthcare team, consumers and peak health organisations to address evidence-based, locally identified health needs.

  • What do you think of the RACGP’s position?
  • Are you interested in establishing a nurse clinic in primary health care to address your population health needs?
  • Have you found there to be barriers to operating a nurse clinic?
  • Have you worked out a successful nurse clinic model you’d like to share?

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Mental health of young people

On 7 August 2015, the Minister for Health, the Hon Sussan Ley MP, released The Mental Health of Children and Adolescents, a report on the second Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. The report, described as the largest ever national survey of youth mental health of its kind in Australian history, follows on from the first national survey of the mental health of children and adolescent which was undertaken 17 years ago.

Some key highlights of the report are set out below:

  • One in seven children and young people experienced a mental disorder in the previous 12 months – the equivalent of 560,000 young Australians
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was the most common mental disorder in children and adolescents
  • Just over one third (35%) of 4-17 year-olds with a mental disorder had seen a general practitioner in the past 12 months
  • Schools provided services to 40.2% of the children and adolescents with mental disorders who attended them, and 5.6% had seen a school nurse
  • Around one in 10 12-17 year-olds (10.9%) reported having ever self-harmed
  • Females aged 16-17 years had the highest rates of self-harm, with 16.8% having harmed themselves in the previous 12 months
  • About one in thirteen (7.5%) 12-17 year olds had seriously considered attempting suicide in the previous 12 months.

While some of the information contained in the report is concerning, there are a number of positives, such as the large increase in the number of young people seeking help.

What is your experience of dealing with young people with mental health issues? Do you think there are adequate processes in place to identify mental disorders and provide the care and support needed?