Nurse-led clinics in
demand
The Australian public has given resounding
support for nurse-led clinics in a national
survey.
A total of 84% of people surveyed said they
would use a nurse-led clinic if one opened in
their area and offered more convenient access
than general practice. Only 14% said they
would not use nurse-led clinics in the latest
Menzies-Nous Australian health survey. Only
2% of the 1,200 surveyed said they did not
know if they would use them or not.
People in regional, rural and remote areas
were more likely to attend a nurse-led clinic
(89%) than those in capital cities (81%).
“I think it shows the public feel the value of
nurses and nurse practitioners and that they
believe in their knowledge and skills,”
Australian College of Nurse Practitioners
president Helen Gosby said.
The first public nurse-led clinic in Canberra
had shown the success of NPs and nurses in
providing public health care, particularly for
the 18-27-year age group, who often did not
have access to GP services, Ms Gosby said.
“It means that people who may otherwise miss
out, have been able to access health care.”
The survey followed an Australian National
University study which showed most
Australians would be happy to visit nurse
practitioners for prescription renewals and
everyday health concerns such as colds and flus.
The Australian Primary Health Care
Research Institute (APHCRI) at ANU and
Health Care Consumers’ Association in the
ACT are investigating Australians’ views of NPs.
The preliminary research showed the
Australian public think that nurses are better
listeners and spend more time with patients
than GPs. Nurse practitioners provided more
choice and better access to primary care in
affordability, shorter waiting times and ‘filling
the gap’ due to GP shortages.
Lead APHCRI researcher associate professor
Rhian Parker said the research showed that
patients just wanted to be able to access
health care when needed. “People told us
they know when they need to see a GP
and when they could see another health
professional.
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