Member for Robertson Gordon Reid says a new scholarship from the Federal Government will help strengthen the Central Coast’s nursing workforce.
The $50.2M Primary Care Nursing and Midwifery Scholarship Program will provide 1,850 postgraduate scholarships over four years for registered nurses and midwives to become nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives in primary and aged care settings.
The funding is part of Labor’s commitment to strengthen the health workforce by upskilling professionals across the primary health care system, ensuring every Australian has access to quality, timely support.
The program will strengthen the health workforce in rural and remote communities by providing preference to scholarship applicants currently living or working in these areas.
The Australian College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP) will manage the program.
As a first step, ACNP will set up an advisory group to ensure the scholarships are awarded in the areas of most need, including rural and remote communities.
The announcement builds on the Albanese Government’s introduction of the Health Legislation Amendment (Removal of Requirement for a Collaborative Arrangement) Bill which removes barriers that prevent nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives from prescribing Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines and providing services under Medicare.
“As an emergency doctor, I know first-hand the impact that workforce shortages in our health sector have on our community,” Reid said.
“This announcement will encourage more nurses to become nurse practitioners.
“I’m proud to be part of a government that is creating opportunities for professionals across the health system to upskill – this will ensure that communities like ours maintain the strong health workforce that our community needs and deserves.”
CEO Leanne Boas said the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners shared the government’s commitment to the growth of the nursing and midwifery workforces, as well as advancing their practice and clinical skills.
“We know that nurses and midwives working in primary care improve access to health care, and health outcomes,” she said.
“Supporting and enabling their development and full scope of practice will ensure more want to work in primary care, and it will also attract many more people into the workforce.
“As the peak body for Nurse Practitioners, we are very proud to lead the Primary Care Nursing and Midwifery Scholarship Program to help further the education of nurses and midwives towards the advanced and autonomous roles we need to improve the health of Australian people.”