Dr's Parting shots couldn't hit the side of a barn!

This release is in response to an article that appeared in The Australian today which you can access at http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24667292-23289,00.html


 
 CRANA, representing remote area nurses and other health professionals working in remote and
isolated parts of Australia is “Gob Smacked” by the comments expressed by Dr Pat Rebgetz in an
article in today’s ‘The Australian’ - “Doctor’s parting shot at town and system that lets it rot.”
 
“Much of the article appears sensationalised, these sort of unhelpful, non-representational comments
just fuel ignorance. I thought we had learnt a lesson from the recent NT intervention into Aboriginal
Communities. We need to stop and actually listen to help communities come up with acceptable,
sustainable solutions” said Carole Taylor, CRANAplus CEO on her way to meet with officials in Darwin
today.
 
Christopher Cliffe the President of CRANAplus was angry about the lack of understanding shown in the
article about the role of Remote Area Nurses. “Nurses and Midwives do not work for, or on behalf of
any other health professional! They are autonomous professionals that make decisions about the care
a client needs and refer them on as necessary. This works efficiently and safely in remote health, a
model that the rest of the country is just now grappling with.”
 
Remote Area Nurses and other remote health staff in the NT have 24/7 telephone access to highly
skilled remote Doctors for advice, referral and evacuation. Nurses undertake additional study, often to
the Masters Degree level to work in isolated practice “To assume a nurse is providing unsafe or sub-
optimal care because she didn’t call a resident Doctor, is insulting, old fashioned and wrong,” said Mr
Cliffe 
 
For further information or interview please contact:
 
Carole Taylor (CEO CRANA) on 0429 649 226
 
Christopher Cliffe (President CRANA) on 0488 513 042
 
18TH NOVEMBER 2008