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Exciting opportunity for IRT to develop nurse practitioners role
19 December 2011
Nurse practitioners will become part of IRT’s workforce for the first time, thanks to an Australian Government initiative.
IRT has been awarded almost $700,000 in funding to implement a model of care, which involves introducing the nurse practitioners role and during the three-year funding period two nurse practitioners will be employed.
More than 30 projects across Australia involving nurse practitioners are to be funded under the Nurse Practitioner – Aged Care Models of Practice Program to help improve access to primary health care for seniors.
IRT Chief Executive, Nieves Murray is delighted IRT has been chosen for this Australian Government initiative and said she was confident there would be good outcomes for seniors.
“General Practitioners are the primary health care providers in the health system,” Ms Murray said. “They are case managers and lead the co-ordinated care effort. Nurse practitioners are one of the cogs in a co-ordinated care approach. They ensure people abide by their treatment regimes and access their medical practitioner when they need to.”
The Gillard Labor Government is investing $18.7 million to expand the role of nurse practitioners.
“It’s a really exciting opportunity for IRT,” Ms Murray said. “The program aims to demonstrate effective, economically viable and sustainable models of practice.”
Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, said nurse practitioners played a vital role in delivering quality health care to older Australians and this boost in funding would increase their role in the aged care workforce.
“The increase in the number of people requiring more complex support and care means there will be additional demand for skilled aged care staff,” Mr Butler said. “That’s why the Government is providing funding to expand the role of nurse practitioners in residential and community based care.”
Nurse practitioners can assess and manage clients, directly refer clients to other healthcare professionals, prescribe medication and order diagnostic investigations.
The program will also provide new and extended career paths for aged care nurses.
For further information please contact:
Melissa Michie
Communications Coordinator
Phone: 4221 6653 or 0419 789 841
Note to Editors: Please refer to IRT as “IRT” not “Illawarra Retirement Trust” – thank you
About IRT:
IRT is one of Australia’s largest community based seniors lifestyle and care providers. It has been providing seniors lifestyle and care solutions for over 40 years. IRT manages communities in more than 30 locations across the Illawarra, South Coast of NSW, Sydney and Canberra and provides solutions to over 6000 customers.
