The industrial and professional organisation for nurses and midwives in Australia
Canberra Office
Unit 3, 28 Eyre Street Kingston ACT 2604 Australia
PO Box 4239 Kingston ACT 2604 Australia
(T) + 61 2 6232 6533 (F) + 61 2 6232 6610
anfcanberra@anf.org.au
Melbourne Office
Level 1, 365 Queen Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia
(T ) + 61 3 9602 8500 (F) + 61 3 9602 8567
anfmelbourne@anf.org.au
ANF Journals
Australian Nursing Journal
Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing
anj@anf.org.au ajan@anf.org.au
ABN 41 816 898 298
media release
13 October 2009
Fielding offends nurses and midwives
Senator Steve Fielding has offended more than 300,000 nurses and midwives in
Australia by suggesting they are not able to provide high quality care in the
community.
ANF Federal Secretary Ged Kearney said Senator Fielding had displayed a lack of
understanding of legislation before the Senate that will allow nurse practitioners and
eligible midwives access to the PBS and MBS.
“Senator Fielding recently made comments in a regional newspaper to the effect that
nurse practitioners will be replacing GPs in rural and regional Australia. In making
these comments he reveals that he has little or no understanding of what the
legislation is all about.”
The Senate is considering legislation that will improve public access to health care
services by allowing patients of Nurse Practitioners and Midwives to get MBS and
PBS rebates for their services. This legislation is not about nurse practitioners and
midwives becoming doctors.
The ANF is urging Senator Fielding to consider the well being of the Australian
community and study the detail of the legislation instead of being co-opted by the self
interest of the AMA and doctor’s groups.
“This legislation is about giving more Australian’s access to quality, affordable health
care and blocking the Bill will only delay much needed improvements to health
services. There is plenty of evidence, both in Australia and worldwide to support
expanded roles for nurses and midwives in health care. The ANF can provide
Senator Fielding with the evidence if he is really interested in doing the right thing by
the Australian people.”
Media inquiries
Ged Kearney, Federal Secretary
0417 053 322
Lee Thomas, Assistant Federal Secretary
0419 576 590
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