Building on bulk billing impacts can make primary health care nurses even more effective

The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) has today welcomed news that bulk billing incentives are improving access to primary health care.  

“As primary health care nurses, we're passionate about health equity, and making sure that people can get affordable and equitable access to primary health care” said APNA President Denise Lyons.  

“The government’s bulk billing incentives are important in supporting people to access the care they need.  

“Primary health care nurses are highly educated and experienced. They form a critical part of general practice teams, regularly undertaking immunisation, wound care, care planning and coordination, and so much more.  

“If break down barriers, primary health care nurses can do even more. We want to see reforms that implement the Scope of Practice recommendations, and progress implementation of nurse prescribing. Those changes will support nurse-delivered care in multidisciplinary teams across general practice and in other primary health care settings.  

“With Australia facing a shortage of general practitioners and nurses, we need every health professional working to their full scope of practice, so we can maximise our impact in our communities.”