On Thursday 1 October I appeared at the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health’s Inquiry into Chronic Disease Prevention and Management in Primary Health Care, representing the primary health care nursing profession.
As the peak body for primary health care nurses, it was a pleasure to work with a group of our colleague nursing organisations (CATSINaM, ACMHN, MCaFHNA and ACN).
General practitioners continue to advocate their role as gatekeepers for real reform. It is time to challenge the role all healthcare professionals provide as part of a multidisciplinary team.
At APNA, our vision is to support the views of our membership to contribute to a healthier Australia and healthier communities.
Nurses at the frontline are well qualified to take an active role in primary health care as we are active in all areas of the community, the cities, the country and our islands, and we continue to develop long term relationships with the people in our care.
In my address to the Inquiry I highlighted the need to support:
– recruitment and retention of primary health care nurses in the workforce
– nurses transitioning into primary health care nursing
– the nurse clinic model as a successful method of dealing with chronic and complex diseases and the coordination of care.
As your president and also an independent representative of the Primary Health Care Advisory Group, I felt well qualified and well positioned to speak on behalf of nurses in our sector and our members.
APNA is commencing work to deliver significant projects including:
> Transition to Practice Program – which will directly support the recruitment and retention of nurses in all areas of primary health care
> Nurse Demonstration Projects – established in multiple regions directly informed by health population needs
> Education and Career Framework – to support the career trajectory available to primary health care nurses
> Chronic Disease and Healthy Ageing Workshops – innovative face to face professional development for nurses in primary health care.
These important long term projects will be run in collaboration with the Department of Health to directly benefit recruitment and retention of nurses in primary health care and to support the Government’s initiative of population health driven chronic disease management and healthy ageing.
Our APNA projects promote a broader model of healthcare, providing the right care at the right time, keeping people out of hospital and caring for them on their return to their homes and communities.
The current environmental and political focus is well and truly focused on health reform. This is a time of change, challenge, and considered action and responsiveness from your peak body. APNA will be flexible and dynamic and continue to drive the agenda on your behalf. It is vital your voice is heard so we can best represent your position. Please continue to communicate your views with us at policy@apna.asn.au.
Our role has been recognised as the peak body for nurses in primary health care nurses and we are confident the Federal Government is listening and will make changes based on our submissions and direct feedback.
Kind regards,
Karen Booth
Read our full submission here.
Read the transcript of the Parliamentary Inquiry hearing here.