Increasing access to health and aged care: a strategic plan for the nurse practitioner workforce (the Plan)

Closed 10 Feb 2023

Opened 19 Dec 2022

Contact

Nursing Taskforce

0262897980

nursepolicy@health.gov.au

Feedback updated 31 Mar 2023

We asked

The Department of Health and Aged Care (Department) asked for your views and input on the draft aim, outcomes and actions in the consultation draft Nurse Practitioner Workforce Plan (the Plan). The draft Plan was released for stakeholder feedback from 19 December 2022 to 10 February 2023.

Targeted meetings were also held during this time to seek feedback from stakeholder organisations. Yarning circles and a consumer focus group were also held to test the actions within the draft Plan to ensure they are realistic, implementable and well received by both First Nations peoples and consumers.

Feedback received during the consultation process is being used to refine and inform the final Plan.

You said

In total, 215 submissions were received, comprising of 172 online survey responses, 25 written submissions via email, 15 targeted stakeholder meetings, 1 consumer focus group and 2 yarning circles.

The mix of responses from consumers, nurse practitioners, health professionals and organisations provided a comprehensive understanding of how the aim, outcomes and actions of the Plan were received. Feedback on improving the draft Plan was constructive with suggestions to refine language and review the action’s timeline. Whilst many responses were focused on the barriers to nurse practitioners providing care, the Department received useful suggestions for refining the draft Plan.

We did

The Department undertook analysis of the online submissions (including survey and written responses) using the Citizen Space application in February 2023. The data from online and written submissions was further analysed simultaneously with stakeholder feedback from meetings, yarning circles and focus groups. This involved coding the qualitative responses for feedback on key themes and creation of analysis notes to further refine the consultation draft. 

Stakeholder feedback captured is being used to refine the Plan and ensure the actions address key nurse practitioner workforce challenges. Suggestions proposed during this round of consultation will be considered by the Nurse Practitioner Steering Committee and used to develop a final version of the Plan for approval by Government. 

Results updated 27 Apr 2023

Files:

Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

Overview

The Department of Health and Aged Care is developing a strategic plan for the nurse practitioner workforce. The purpose of the Plan is to describe a set of actions that can be taken to address nurse practitioner workforce issues and enhance the delivery of nursing care to the Australian community.

A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with the experience, expertise and authority to diagnose and treat people of all ages with a variety of acute or chronic health conditions. Nurse practitioners have completed additional university study at master’s degree level and are endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia as a nurse practitioner.

For more information visit https://www.acnp.org.au/aboutnursepractitioners.

Why your views matter

Context

The Consultation Draft of the Plan (Consultation Draft) has been released for the purpose of seeking feedback from people and organisations with an interest in the Australian nurse practitioner workforce.

The Consultation Draft has been developed with input from extensive consultation with consumers, nurse practitioners, health professionals, health organisations, employers, relevant jurisdictional and federal agencies, and other interested parties. The prospective actions presented in this Consultation Draft reflect issues, ideas and feedback raised during consultation. The development has been overseen by the Nurse Practitioner Steering Committee.

Please note the Consultation Draft does not constitute the final position of the Australian Government. The plan will be further considered in light of feedback provided in the consultation.

How to have your say

Open consultation is an opportunity to have your say to help shape the Plan.

The diverse perspectives, experiences and knowledge of all stakeholders and interested members of the community are valued, respected and will contribute to the final Plan.

Consultation closes at 11.59pm on Friday 10 February 2023.

Before completing the survey, you are encouraged to read the Consultation Draft.

The Consultation Draft sets out the key elements of the proposed Plan including the aim, outcomes, actions, evidence for actions and background on nurse practitioners.

The survey takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. You may also wish to download the word version of the survey to review prior to submitting your response online.

If you have any questions about how to complete the survey, please email nursepolicy@health.gov.au

If you wish to provide a written response, please upload a Word or PDF document in question 15 – “Additional feedback/comments.”  Please ensure the file does not exceed 25MB. If you have any issues uploading your document, please email to nursepolicy@health.gov.au by 23:59 AEDST, Friday 10 February 2023.

Alternatively you can send to:

Department of Health and Aged Care
Attention: Director Nursing Taskforce
MDP 411
GPO Box 9848
Canberra ACT 2601
Australia

Thank you for your interest. We look forward to hearing your views.

What happens next

Information gathered during these consultations will help to inform the Plan.

Audiences

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
  • Seniors
  • Men
  • Women
  • Carers and guardians
  • Families
  • Parents
  • Young people
  • Academics
  • Non-government organisations
  • State government agencies
  • Commonwealth agencies
  • Local governments
  • Health professionals
  • Health workforce
  • General public
  • Community groups
  • Businesses
  • Contracted Service Providers
  • Aged care service providers
  • Aged care workforce
  • Aged care professionals

Interests

  • Strategic Policy
  • Policy Development