Media Release: 13 October 2009

Fielding offends nurses and midwives

Senator Steve Fielding has offended more than 300,000 nurses and midwives in Australia by suggesting they are not able to provide high quality care in the community.

ANF Federal Secretary Ged Kearney said Senator Fielding had displayed a lack of understanding of legislation before the Senate that will allow nurse practitioners and eligible midwives access to the PBS and MBS.

“Senator Fielding recently made comments in a regional newspaper to the effect that nurse practitioners will be replacing GPs in rural and regional Australia. In making these comments he reveals that he has little or no understanding of what the legislation is all about.”

The Senate is considering legislation that will improve public access to health care services by allowing patients of Nurse Practitioners and Midwives to get MBS and PBS rebates for their services. This legislation is not about nurse practitioners and midwives becoming doctors.

The ANF is urging Senator Fielding to consider the well being of the Australian community and study the detail of the legislation instead of being co-opted by the self interest of the AMA and doctor’s groups.

“This legislation is about giving more Australian’s access to quality, affordable health care and blocking the Bill will only delay much needed improvements to health services. There is plenty of evidence, both in Australia and worldwide to support expanded roles for nurses and midwives in health care. The ANF can provide Senator Fielding with the evidence if he is really interested in doing the right thing by the Australian people.”

Media Contacts
Ged Kearney, ANF Federal Secretary, 0417 053 322
Lee Thomas, ANF Assistant Federal Secretary, 0419 576 590

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