CRANAplus Congratulates Minister Roxon for Nurse Practitioners Scholarships

CRANAplus is delighted with the Federal Health Minister, Nicola Roxon’s announcement to
invest $2.1 Million dollars to help build a Remote and Rural Nurse Practitioner
workforce in Australia.
 
Remote Area Nurses and Midwives already provide the core health services in isolated
areas across Australia; places that include Indigenous communities, oilrigs, tourist
resorts, islands, aero medical services and mine sites.  It’s fantastic that the Federal
Government is investing in Nurse Practitioners to support and further advance this safe,
nursing led model of care. 
 
Mr Christopher Cliffe, the President of CRANAplus said, “Nurse Practitioners provide a safe,
effective and accessible level of health service to individuals and communities. The
growth of this professional group has the potential to really improve the lives of people
who live and work in remote and rural areas across Australia. I am looking forward to the
day when I have the choice to see a Nurse Practitioner for my health needs”.
 
“Nurse Practitioners are not mini Doctors nor are they trying to take over Doctors’ jobs.
They are advanced nurses who like all health professionals work within a broad team
approach to health care. Nurses currently provide a majority of the care in remote areas
and Nurse Practitioners have the capacity to work with Remote Area Nurses, Health
Workers and GP’s to improve the services available in these resource poor
environments.” said Mr Cliffe.
 
Carole Taylor, CEO of CRANAplus also strongly welcomed the announcement and offers the
assistance and resources of CRANAplus to roll out the initiative. “We are perfectly placed as
the professional body for remote health, with detailed knowledge about the issues and
needs in remote Australia to drive these scholarships forward, ensuring we get the biggest
bang for the buck!” 
 
CRANAplus is keen to speak with the Minister about the ongoing details of this initiative
along with other strategies to ensure its success, such as scholarships for students to
undertake placements to remote areas and broadening access to the Medical Benefit and
the Pharmaceutical Benefit Schemes. 
 
For further information or interview please contact:
 
Christopher Cliffe (President CRANA) on 0488 513 042
Carole Taylor (CEO CRANA) on 0408 839 723
 
29th October 2008