The nation’s nurses and midwives will receive urgently needed support under the new $25.2 million Australian Government-funded Nurse and Midwife Health Program Australia (NMHPA) being announced on Tuesday.
The NMHPA is a free, confidential and independent service for nurses and midwives, as well as nursing and midwifery students, experiencing any sensitive psychological health issue.
The Government has committed to a five-year investment to deliver the NMHPA, which is being rolled out in stages.
Nurses and midwives are Australia’s largest group (54%) of registered health professionals. Fatigue, stress and burnout have been identified as a threat to both the Australian and global nursing and midwifery workforce.
NMHPA Implementation Director Heather Pickard said the new service enables early intervention to address sensitive health issues faced by the nursing and midwifery workforce.
“Nursing and midwifery are very rewarding professions, but demanding workplace environments, high workloads, long hours and emotional stressors can put nurses and midwives at greater risk of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression and burnout,” she said.
WHAT: Launch of the new $25.2 million Australian Government-funded Nurse and Midwife Health Program Australia – offering help to nurses and midwives who are shown to have higher vulnerability and potential exposure to mental health risks.
WHEN: 11am Tuesday 30 April, 2024
WHERE: QT Canberra (Eureka Room), 11 London Circuit, Canberra
WHO: Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney MP
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Federal Secretary Annie Butler
Australian Government’s Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Adjunct Professor Alison McMillan PSM
NMHPA Chair Denise Heinjus
NMHPA Implementation Director Heather Pickard
Registered nurse Anthony McGrath
Performance by Royal Melbourne Hospital Scrub Choir
Contact details:
Chriss Mannix
Soda Communications
M: 0418 408 035 | E: chriss@sodacommunications.com.au
Karen Strahan
Soda Communications
M: 0417 361 465| E: karen@sodacommunications.com.au
