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Are the Federal Government’s health reforms at risk?
(10/11/2009)
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The College of Nursing expresses profound disappointment with an amendment to the Health Legislation Amendment (Midwives and Nurse Practitioners) Bill 2009, Tracey Osmond, Chief Executive, said today.
“The amendment denies the right of nurse practitioners and eligible midwives to function as specialists in their own right as was indicated in earlier legislation that allowed nurse practitioners and eligible midwives access to the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS),” said Osmond.
“While nurses accept, absolutely, the need to work in a team - with general practitioners, doctors and allied health professionals - the announcement by the President of the Australian Medical Association (AMA), Dr Andrew Pesce, that “the amendments impose a legal requirement for collaborative arrangements between medical practitioners and midwives or between medical practitioners and nurse practitioners” is a professional insult to nurse practitioners and eligible midwives who are “authorised to function autonomously and collaboratively in an advanced and extended clinical role” (Nurses and Midwives Board, New South Wales),” said Osmond.
It appears that the purpose of the amendment is to bring nurse and midwife practitioners under the control of doctors.
“Moreover,” said Osmond, “the amendment promotes an adversarial concept of what is already happening with a spirit of collegiality.
“Doctors and nurse practitioners and eligible midwives, in general, already work collaboratively.
“This is a case of using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut.
“What is required here is an explanation of why this amendment has been proposed when state and territory nursing and midwifery acts clearly define the legal roles and responsibilities of all levels of nursing and midwifery.”
The College of Nursing is a peak professional body representing nurses across Australia. It is the largest, longest established and most innovative provider of quality clinical specialty development and postgraduate nursing education in Australia.
Tracey Osmond is available for interview or comment.
Media contact: Ian Steep 0412 601 983
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