WA announces primary care nurse practitioner pilot

A pilot to facilitate team-based primary health care by using nurse practitioners is set to begin in Western Australia.

The scheme is part of the Australian Government’s commitment in the 2022–23 October Budget to work collaboratively with states and territories to co-develop and pilot innovative primary care models.

WA will receive $11.7 million of the $100 million Australian Government funding earmarked for primary health initiatives in a bid to improve care pathways and reduce pressure on emergency departments.

The Nurse Practitioner and Team Based Care Pilot will fund 20 nurse practitioners over two years, who will work both autonomously and in collaboration with other health practitioners to diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions. Their services will be free to patients.

Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler said, “The Strengthening Medicare Taskforce report made it clear that we need to utilise team-based care and our well-trained nurses to deliver quality primary care.

“This pilot is a nation-leading opportunity for nurse practitioners to work to their full scope of practice, leading to better health access for Western Australians.”

Nurse practitioners engaged through the pilot will be based in primary care services throughout WA. The precise locations will be subject to an EOI process.

Amber-Jade Sanderson, WA Minister for Health and Mental Health, said, “We know access to primary care continues to be a problem in some areas, including in regional and remote Western Australia, and this pilot will supplement the GP workforce.”

The pilot should improve patient access in underserviced and vulnerable populations and help address health workforce shortages in WA.

The program will work closely with primary care providers and nurse practitioners to design the new models of care and provide governance, change management, community education and clinical coaching support. Evaluation of the program will inform future policy.

Image credit: iStock.com/Charday Penn