The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) has praised the recent commitment from Treasurers across Australia to support health practitioners in working at their full scope of practice. This decision comes as part of the updated National Competition Policy Federation Funding Agreement Schedule, which aims to enhance productivity and reduce costs within the healthcare sector.
According to ACN Chief Executive Officer, Adjunct Professor Kathryn Zeitz FACN, this endorsement underscores the economic necessity of allowing nurses and other health professionals to operate at their full capacity. “This is a significant endorsement from Treasurers that full scope of practice is not just good for patient care – it’s economically essential,” she stated.
The timing of this announcement is particularly important, as regulatory changes now empower registered nurses to prescribe medications. Professor Zeitz emphasized that when registered nurses collaborate in prescribing, and nurse practitioners operate without unnecessary barriers, it leads to improved access to high-quality healthcare, shorter waiting times, and a more effective use of the health workforce.
Impacts on Healthcare Delivery
ACN advocates that the reforms should extend to various critical areas, including preventive health, wound care, and the management of chronic conditions. “We need to be making the regulatory and funding changes to enable nurses to work to their full scope of practice in, for example, the vital preventive health area of vaccinations,” she noted. These changes are expected to have profound effects not only on healthcare consumers but also on the efficiency of the health system overall.
The ACN insists that this commitment from Treasurers must be accompanied by systemic support to ensure the successful implementation of these reforms. This includes the anticipated release of the National Nursing Workforce Strategy, which is expected to provide a strategic framework for optimally utilizing nursing resources.
Professor Zeitz highlighted the importance of comprehensive support from all sectors of healthcare. “We need communications to build awareness, education for employers and authorized health practitioners on partnership arrangements, and access to Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme subsidies for prescriptions by registered nurse prescribers,” she said.
Looking Ahead
The ACN is optimistic about the establishment of a nationally consistent approach to these reforms. They look forward to collaborating with Commonwealth and State Treasurers, Health Ministers, regulators, and all stakeholders to ensure these productivity-enhancing reforms translate into tangible improvements for individuals seeking healthcare.
By focusing on enabling health professionals to operate at their full capacity, the ACN believes that the healthcare system can better meet the needs of the population while simultaneously improving its efficiency. The commitment from Treasurers marks a significant step toward achieving these goals, paving the way for a more responsive and effective health service across Australia.
