National Snapshot - ACNP Key Activities 2011

April 2011

It has been a running start to the year with myself and the ACNP board continuing to push forward the development of the NP role on many fronts. Naturally associated with growing comes the need for educating the community and our medical colleagues on the role of the NP. It is interesting to see the many rich roles for NPs that have developed across Australia. As needs arise these roles will continue to grow over the years into the many complex health settings. We see as a priority the need to continue to utilise and promote our access to MBS and PBS to cover these growing demands. We are grateful for your feedback which we incorporate in our reports to the various stakeholders.

ACNP FACE TO FACE 2011
TOP - Amal Helou, Alison Bean-Hodges, Luke Christofis, Robin Moon, Wendy Waters, John Kelly, Jennifer Byrnes, Cassandra Ryan, Anne Moehead, Robyn Peters
BOTTOM - Hazel Ryan, Leonie Burdack, Helen Gosby, Chris Helms

At present we are working with the AMA and RACGP on the collaborative document they would like to see promoted to their members. As of this report we have not signed on to any collaborative agreement with any of these groups. My experience and understanding is that NPs are by nature collaborative and have been since the inception of the first NP roles. We are aware that collaboration is not just a written document but happens in many different levels.

As part of the development of the discussion on collaboration we have become more aware of the insurance issues. As nurses we have never had to considerer insurance in isolation to what our employer normally provided and what is covered by our nursing union membership. Also as part of the registration process we are now asked if we have indemnity insurance coverage. The health scene is rapidly changing and as NPs we have to consider taking out specific insurance to cover our practice. There are 2 Insurance companies that we are aware of that do cover NPs, Guild and Mediprotect, who offer indemnity insurance for NP's.

ACNP and the board of directors actively participates on many national forums, to make sure that the NP role is considered in ground roots policy development. In the first 3 months we have been to the Health Reform Forum, E health Development and Tele Health Advisory Group in Canberra (TAG). We also have representation to the department of Veteran's Affairs on their Community Care Policy.

"Nurse Practitioners coming of age" We have made a push to have the material to advertise the upcoming national conference in Adelaide 6-8 Oct available to members to view on the website. We have advertised 4 scholarships for members to apply to obtain complementary registration. Please make use of that as we would like to be flooded with applications. We look forward to seeing you all there. You will have noticed the call for abstracts, workshops and topical seminars available now and open on the website. This is your opportunity to shine and have some of the issues you are passionate about addressed. So please continue to submit your interest and papers.

Helen