20 th October 2009

ACNP concerns re $10m Canberra nurse-led walk-in centres

In late May a joint Australian/ACT Government initiative - nurse-led walk in centres that will treat minor illness and injuries - was announced. The first is scheduled to open next year at the Canberra Hospital.

(Source: ABC News Posted Mon May 25, 2009 5:28pm AEST)

ACNP welcomed this announcement as a progressive and innovative strategy that has the potential to improve access to health care and one that recognises and fully utilises the skills and knowledge of both advanced practice nurses and particularly, nurse practitioners.

However, like most things the devil is in the detail.................

It has recently come to the attention of the College that nurse practitioners employed in the Canberra Hospital walk-in-centre will be required to work to prescribed "decision making protocols", apparently as part of a risk minimisation strategy.

ACNP does not support this model.

It is contradictory to the evidence; is inconsistent and conflicts with the nurse practitioner model of care that has been established in Australia; and it is potentially unsafe.

The College will attempt to seek clarification regarding this over the coming weeks.

Andrew Cashin
A/g President
ACNP