Nurse Practitioner project grants kick off

Minister Butler has announced an $18.7 million federal government investment to expand the role of nurse practitioners in residential and community-based care.

The Gillard Labor government has just announced that it will invest $18.7 million to expand the role of nurse practitioners in residential and community based care.

More than 30 projects involving nurse practitioners will be funded under the Nurse Practitioner – Aged Care Models of Practice Program to help to improve access to primary health care for our older citizens.

Speaking during a visit today to Resthaven in Malvern (SA), Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, said nurse practitioners play a vital role in delivering quality health care to older Australians and this boost in funding will increase their role in the aged care workforce.

Resthaven will be one of the many providers to benefit from the program, receiving more than $500,000 in funding to employ a palliative care nurse practitioner across its residential aged care sites in Southeast Metropolitan Adelaide.

“The ageing of the population is changing the face of care,” Minister Butler said.

“People in aged care homes have more complex care needs than was the case ten years ago.

“Many older people are choosing to remain at home as they age so the need for comprehensive community aged care is also increasing.

“The increase in the number of people requiring more complex support and care means there will be additional demand for skilled aged care staff.

“That’s why the government is providing funding to expand the role of nurse practitioners in residential and community based care. Highly trained and qualified staff are essential to delivering appropriate clinical care to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and to improve the quality of life for older Australians.”

Nurse practitioners can assess and manage clients, directly refer clients to other healthcare professionals, prescribe medication and order diagnostic investigations.

Resthaven’s Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner will support people who are in the end phase of their ageing process, including people with dementia and other chronic health conditions.

“Older people want to remain in their homes for as long as possible and if possible for the rest of their lives. The new nurse practitioner will improve end of life care and allow more people to die at their preferred place,” Mr Butler said.

As well as providing improved access to primary health care for older Australians, the program will provide new and extended career paths for aged care nurses.

“Delivering flexible training initiatives focused on improved clinical care will assist industry recruitment and retention and create attractive career paths in aged care.”

Successful applicants are being funded in all states and territories, including services in rural, regional and remote areas, and organisations that provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally specific care.

Funding recipients include:

  • Menzies Research Institute Tasmania
  • La Trobe University
  • Adelaide North East Division of General Practice
  • Queensland University of Technology
  • The University of Newcastle
  • Calvary Retirements Communities Hunter Manning Ltd
  • Brightwater Care Group Inc
  • Royal College of Nursing ACT
  • Hunter New England Local Health District
  • Hobart District Nursing Service Inc
  • General Practice Network South Inc
  • Department of Health – Queensland
  • Murrumbidgee Medicare Local Limited
  • The Bethanie Group Inc
  • The Nurse Practitioner Acute Care Team Pty Ltd
  • Illawarra Retirement Trust Ltd
  • Bushland Health Group Limited
  • Bass Coast Regional Health
  • Southern Cross Care
  • Anglican Retirement Villages Diocese of Sydney
  • North East Valley Division of General Practice Pty Ltd
  • Sir Moses Montefiore Jewish Home
  • Silver Chain Nursing Association Inc
  • Royal Freemasons Ltd
  • Resthaven Incorporated
  • Sunblade Enterprises Pty Ltd
  • Holistic Medical Care Pty Ltd
  • Denise Gay Simmons – Independent practitioner
  • Joyce Donnelly – Independent practitioner
  • Charles Darwin University
  • Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd
     
Tags: aged-care-models-of-practice-program, cognitive-decline, community-aged-care, nurse-practitioner, palliative-care-nurse-practitioner, resthaven, silver-chain,

2 thoughts on “Nurse Practitioner project grants kick off

  1. One of the most sensible projects so far. At 76 years with COPD and other annoying difficulties. it is pleasing to know that I can probably die in my home with all the support I shall need, without taking up space in hospitals which really are for the sick who will recover. And without costing my country a large amount of money that staying in hospital ensues.

  2. Great to see two successful bids from Tasmania
    Its a shame that the positions for NP clinicians will be in the South (ie Hobart region) as we have two / three exisiting positions in this region as opposed to North / North West region

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