The industrial and professional organisation for nurses and midwives in Australia
Canberra Office (Professional Services)
Unit 3, 28 Eyre Street Kingston ACT 2604
Australia
PO Box 4239 Kingston ACT 2604 Australia
+ 61 2 6232 6533 (T) + 61 2 6232 6610 (F)
anfcanberra@anf.org.au
Melbourne Office (Industrial Services)
Level 1, 365 Queen Street Melbourne VIC 3000
Australia
+ 61 3 9602 8500 (T) + 61 3 9602 8567 (F)
industrial@anf.org.au
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
31 January 2010
Let nurses care for patients in regional areas
The Australian Nursing Federation and the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners has
called for calm amid hysterical and offensive dialogue coming from some healthcare sectors
on the issue of nurse practitioners.
ANF Federal Secretary Ged Kearney said recent comments by the Royal Australian College
of General Practitioners the ACT Division of General Practice (ACTDGP), the Australian
Medical Association (AMA) and the Pharmacy Guild implying nurse practitioners would
harm their patients is insulting.
“It is offensive and irrational to imply nurse practitioners who have extensive education and
experience would do anything beyond their sphere of expertise. In fact all the evidence shows
the care provided by these nurses is excellent,” she said.
“Nurse practitioners want to assist patients who are falling through the healthcare gap, this is
especially important for regional consumers, some of whom have limited access to
healthcare.”
“Unfortunately an issue that should be about providing patients with the care they require has
spiraled into a turf war.”
“Giving nurse practitioners access to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and the
Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) is about caring for consumers.
The ANF and ACNP are concerned that GPs and Pharmacists are prepared to deny regional
patients – some of who are waiting up to six weeks for treatment – more choice.
“On the one hand you have doctors saying they are over-stretched and on the other hand they
refuse to share healthcare with capable nurse practitioners. This is an attempt to keep all
rebates in doctors’ pockets.”
Helen Gosby president of the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners said nurse
practitioners, like all healthcare experts, worked collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes
for patients.
“Nurse practitioners are one of the most regulated in the healthcare sector meaning they are
also one of the safest,” she said.
“Nurse practitioners should not have to seek doctor approval for patient care they are capable
of doing autonomously.”
Media inquiries
Eleni Hale, Media
0402 337 388
Ged Kearney, Federal Secretary
0417 053 322
Helen Gosby, Australian College of Nurse Practitioners
0401626743
Lee Thomas, Acting Federal Secretary
0419 576 590
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