A war of words has broken out over the role of nurse practitioners in the delivery of primary healthcare after the ACT gave approval to a clinic run by nurse practitioners.

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian Medical Association have urged the ACT Assembly to delay approval for the clinic until there is assurance that it will do no harm.

The RACGP's faculty chair for NSW and the ACT, Dr Elizabeth Marles said she was concerned that GPs in the local area had not been consulted about the decision.

"As GPs we build trust by offering whole person, continuing, comprehensive and coordinated care," she said.