College Supports Strong Words By Roxon, Australia

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 28 Jun 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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The College of Nursing congratulates the Federal Minister for Health, Nicola Roxon, on her no-nonsense response to the Australian Medical Association's claims that they are the gatekeepers of Australian health care, Tracey Osmond, Chief Executive, said.

"We are seeing a paradigm shift in the delivery of health care in Australia," said Osmond.

"One that is long overdue."

"Minister Roxon has seen through the AMA.

"The AMA has been hoisted by its own petard in claiming they are the gatekeepers in primary health care.

"This claim is arrogant, to say the least," said Osmond, "but it is also out of date."

"The Australian public will not be herded like sheep when it comes to their own health."

The AMA appears to believe that emotive scaremongering will help them retain their power in a society that has changed dramatically in recent decades, and one in which the needs of patients and the range of services available to them have equally changed.

In contrast to the AMA, Minister Roxon is focused on the realities of Australian health - chronic diseases, an ageing population, the demand and need for improvements to the delivery of primary health care.

The Minister has realised that primary health care can be better delivered by ensuring that appropriately qualified and skilled health professionals are found in a range of settings and include nurses, midwives and other allied health workers.

The appointment by the Minister of a Commonwealth Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer (CNMO) clearly shows that nurses have an important part to play in the delivery of health care, a part that, at times, can be independent of a doctor.

The statement by the CNMO, Rosemary Bryant, only days after her appointment, shows that nurses have a strong champion at the senior level of government.

The College of Nursing