Call for nurses to get prescription powers


12 May 2008
ABC News Australia


The Australian Nursing Federation says nurses should be given more responsibilities, such as prescribing drugs under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Federation national secretary Ged Kearney says the number of doctors is unlikely to dramatically increase in the near future, and nurses need to play a more central role.

And on International Nurses Day, Ms Kearney says nursing duties should be expanded.

"The system at the moment really doesn't allow us to use nurses - particularly nurse practitioners and midwives - in an effective and efficient manner," she said.

"They still have to rely on a doctor being nearby for any funding really."

Ms Kearney says the number of doctors in rural areas is likely to dwindle further in coming years.

"We think that nurses really are leading the way in this field and we are calling on the Government to look at the fantastic nurse models of care that are working out there in communities and providing safe, high-quality care to people who might otherwise lose it," she said.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/.../12/2241433.htm