Media Release: 29 April 2009

Nurses and the ANF would welcome plans to subsidise nurse practitioner prescriptions

The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) today welcomed news that the Federal Government may be planning to expand pharmaceutical subsidies to cover medicines prescribed by nurse practitioners.

Ged Kearney, ANF Federal Secretary said that the change would be great news for consumers and would provide people with full access to the quality care brought by these highly experienced nurses.

“Nurse practitioners have been safely and legally prescribing medication for people in the community for many years, this measure would remove the financial barriers that exist for consumers.” Ms Kearney said.

“This would be a very sensible and efficient use of the health dollar, reducing duplication and cost to the health consumer - Australian people and their families can only benefit from this type of initiative.”

Ged Kearney is available for further comment on this matter .

 

Media Contacts
Ged Kearney, ANF Federal Secretary, 0417 053 322
Libby Muir, ANF Communications Officer, 0413 834 979

 

The ANF, with 170,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses and midwives in Australia.