A boost for nurse practitioners
An $18.7 million boost in funding will increase the vital role nurse practitioners play in the aged care industry. More than 30 projects involving nurse practitioners will be funded under the Nurse Practitioners – Aged Care Models of Practice Program to help improve access to primary healthcare for older citizens.
An $18.7 million boost in funding will increase the vital role nurse practitioners play in the aged care industry.
More than 30 projects involving nurse practitioners will be funded under the Nurse Practitioners – Aged Care Models of Practice Program to help improve access to primary healthcare for older citizens.
South Australia’s Resthaven in Malvern, recently visited by Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, received funding of more than $500,000 to employ a palliative care nurse practitioner across its residential aged care sites in southeast metropolitan Adelaide.
According to Mr Butler, the ageing population was slowly “changing the face of care”, adding people in aged care homes have more complex care needs than a decade ago.
“Many older people are choosing to remain at home as they age so the need for comprehensive community aged care is also increasing,” Mr Butler said.
Nurse practitioners often assess and manage clients, directly refer clients to other healthcare professionals, and prescribe medication and order diagnostic investigations.
Mr Butler said Resthaven’s new palliative care nurse practitioner would “improve end of life care”, allowing more people to die at their “preferred place”.
The federal government will invest more than $300 million over four years to build the capacity of the aged care sector and develop the skills of the workforce.
Successful applicants are being funded in all states and territories. Click here to view the list of these funding recipients.
