As part of the Physician Assistants debate, Tasmanian Chapter of Nurse Practitioners recently lobbied local Members of Parliament reminding them that Nurse Practitioners are underutilised in Tasmania and that there are a number who are currently not employed as NPs.  We had some success with responses from the Members of Parliament. We have had discussions with a Member for the Greens, Paul O’Halloran and the Liberals (current government opposition), and written responses from others, including the Tasmanian Minister of Health, Michelle O’Byrne.

From this lobbying, last month the Tasmanian Greens utilised their Private Members Time to debate the potential role Physician Assistants could play in the Tasmanian setting and included in this were statements about the under-utilisation of Nurse Practitioners were also made.  The Greens have also stated that “We need to look at how the role of nurse practitioners can be better integrated, and developed within Tasmania’s health sector, to help deliver sustainable, cost-effective, efficient and high quality health services to Tasmanians into the future.”  “We are calling on the Minister to investigate the factors which may be impeding the use of nurse practitioners, including issues around Medicare remuneration,” Mr O’Halloran said.

Other Members of Parliament stated that they would also look at the barriers for Nurse Practitioners.