Media Release

Nurse Practitioners astounded at Shadow Minister Dutton's lack of insight

The Australian College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP) has urged Peter Dutton the Shadow Minister for Health to support the Health Legislation Amendment (Midwives and Nurse Practitioners) Bill that is currently before the Federal Parliament. This Bill has the full support of peak nursing and midwifery organisations. Any further delay of this timely landmark legislation will adversely affect opportunities for the Australian public to access safe and effective nursing and midwifery care.

Nurse practitioners can already safely prescribe medicines but patients cannot access rebates on medicines and tests they prescribe necessitating out of pocket expenses for patients or double-consultations. ACNP Vice-President Professor Andrew Cashin says, "Nurses and midwives represent two percent of the voting public and at this point we can predictably say they support the progressive Labour Government who have introduced landmark reforms for nursing, midwifery and the Australian community."

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For information or comment: Professor Andrew Cashin 0414 577 770