The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) has today welcomed news that bulk billing incentives are improving access to primary health care.
"As primary health care nurses, we're passionate about health equity, and making sure that people can get affordable and equitable access to primary health care" said APNA President Denise Lyons.
"The government's bulk billing incentives are important in supporting people to access the care they need.
"Primary health care nurses are highly educated and experienced. They form a critical part of general practice teams, regularly undertaking immunisation, wound care, care planning and coordination, and so much more.
"If break down barriers, primary health care nurses can do even more. We want to see reforms that implement the Scope of Practice recommendations, and progress implementation of nurse prescribing. Those changes will support nurse-delivered care in multidisciplinary teams across general practice and in other primary health care settings.
"With Australia facing a shortage of general practitioners and nurses, we need every health professional working to their full scope of practice, so we can maximise our impact in our communities."
About us:
About APNA
The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) is the peak body and professional membership association for all nurses working outside of a hospital setting in Australia. APNA champions the role of primary health care nurses; to advance professional recognition, ensure workforce sustainability, nurture leadership in health, and optimise the role of nurses in patient-centred care.
APNA is bold, vibrant and future-focused. We reflect the views of our membership and the broader profession by bringing together nurses from across Australia to represent, advocate, promote and celebrate the achievements of nurses in primary health care.
APNA represents a significant and rapidly expanding workforce; primary health care nurses account for around one in eight of the 640,000 registered health professionals in Australia.
