30 June 2008

Health workforce better skilled than ever before

The College of Nursing says that the Federal Health Minister, Nicola Roxon, is in a better position than any of her predecessors to take on health reform in Australia, Tracey Osmond, Chief Executive, said today.

“Australia’s health workforce has never been as skilled as it is today,” said Osmond.

“While there may be a shortage of health professionals in some areas and inequity in the delivery of primary health care, Minister Roxon has at her disposal a health workforce that is more educated, more skilled and better qualified than ever before.

“It is on this basis that she can make the reforms that health professionals and the public have been crying out for.”

In the US, Canada, the UK, South Korea and the Cook Islands nurse practitioners have an important role in the delivery of primary health care.

“These models make appropriate use of skilled, educated and experienced nurses, with a defined role in patient care” said Osmond.

What Minister Roxon appears to be considering is a patient-centred approach to health care that employs a mix of skills, qualifications and responsibilities that recognizes the capacity within the health workforce.

The College looks forward to working with doctors, midwives and allied health workers in developing effective, patient-centred models of health care.

END

Tracey Osmond is available for interview or comment.
Media contact: Ian Steep 0417 424 186 or 0412 601 983