Professional News: March 2010

Collaboration amendment insulting to nurses and midwives

A couple of big ticket issues are looming large in 2010, including a federal election later in the year and national registration and accreditation to be rolled out in July. The ANF is looking towards the Federal Budget in May with a focus on aged care while still awaiting the implementation of last year’s Budget initiative giving MBS and PBS access to the patients/clients of nurse practitioners (NPs) and eligible midwives.

Much of the current work of the professional team is concentrated on ensuring the legislation is passed in the Senate. In November last year the Rudd Government put forward an amendment to the proposed Bill requiring ‘collaborative arrangements’ between NPs/eligible midwives and ‘one or more medical practitioners’. This amendment was opposed by the nursing and midwifery professions. A Senate hearing was held in December to consider the consequences and implications of the proposed amendment.

A legislative requirement for collaboration with medical practitioners is, quite frankly, offensive to nurses and midwives. Nurses and midwives are most often the linchpin in the collaborative process. They collaborate with the client/woman, their family and a range of health professionals, including medical practitioners.

Collaboration does not mean one profession dominating or overseeing another. It means respecting each other’s interest and professional responsibility. For meaningful collaboration to occur NPs, midwives and medical colleagues need to have confidence that each will inform and discuss client needs with the right clinician at an appropriate time. It requires an acknowledgement that each health professional will act in a professional manner at all times, recognising the limit of their scope of practice, calling on another professional if needed. Existing regulatory processes underpinning each area of professional practice ensure quality, safety, accountability and responsibility in the public’s interest.

The purpose of the reforms was to remove legislative barriers to access to MBS rebates and PBS subsidised medicines for their clients. The reforms should enhance meaningful collaborative practice, while maximising the health and wellbeing of the Australian community. The ANF will continue to collaborate with our colleagues both within and beyond our professions to ensure the best outcome for the community. After all that’s what we’re all here for isn’t it?
For more information about the work of the Federal Office Professional Team go to the National News section.

Julianne Bryce
ANF Federal Senior Professional Officer