Communities across Australia rely on Registered Nurses (RNs) to provide primary care, acute care and aged care. They are skilled, capable and trusted healthcare practitioners often working in some of the most rural and remote parts of the country.
In March 2023, the Australian Government released the National Rural and Remote Nursing Generalist Framework 2023–2027. The Framework is a world first and describes the unique context of practice and core capabilities for rural and remote Registered Nurses in Australia.
As well as describing skills, capabilities and support needed by RNs, the Framework emphasises the importance of clinical decision-making judgement of the patient’s situation, culturally safe practice, collaboration, and partnerships with clients, families and communities.
The framework is for RNs who work in rural and remote locations across Australia, or are looking to relocate there. One such nurse who relocated is Clinton Archer, with Queensland Health, who was interviewed by Australian Health Journal for this segment.
Other ways the the Framework can be applied include:
- For Registered Nurses, mapping their development of the capabilities with a mentor, to develop from formative to proficient skill levels.
- For Educators and Education Providers, supporting individual skill development or curriculum based on the capabilities.
- Government, Organisations and Employers, using the Framework as a guide to grow and support the development of a skilled rural and remote RN workforce
The Framework was developed by the Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner and Australian Health Journal spoke with National Rural Health Commissioner, Adjunct Professor Ruth Stewart, and Deputy National Rural Health Commissioner – Nursing and Midwifery, Adjunct Professor Shelley Nowlan, on the importance of rural and remote nursing and of the Framework itself.
Important contributions and expertise of the members of the National Rural and Remote Nursing Generalist Framework Steering Committee (Steering Committee) led the Framework through its development and consultation. Steering Committee members represented the following organisations.
- Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner
- Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
- Australian and New Zealand Council of Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers
- Australian College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP)
- Australian College of Nursing (ACN)
- Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)
- Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF)
- Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA)
- Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM)
- Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery (CDNM)
- Council of Remote Area Nurses of Australia (CRANAplus)
- James Cook University
- Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)
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Gold Coast paediatric emergency nurse leads world’s largest study in securement
Brooke Charters is a dynamic Paediatric Emergency Nurse who works at the Gold Coast University Hospital in Queensland. Brooke’s research became the world’s largest study of its kind and in May 2024 the results of the study were published in JAMA Pediatrics. Her mission is to drive change and enhance the hospital experience for children globally.
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Improving access to osteopathic services and integrated care models
The Chief Executive Officer of Osteopathy Australia, Antony Nicholas spoke with Australian Health Journal about:
– Involvement in the Strengthening Medicare Task Force
– The unique skills osteopaths have that can address the chronic disease burden
– Current workforce issues around osteopaths and if enough are coming through via student placements
– How uploading data to My Health Record by osteopaths could assist team-based care of patients
– How the value of osteopaths in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) could be better understood and better access for residents
– The recommendations around aged care access to allied health services, including osteopathy
– The recommendations around consumer access to osteopaths and GP referrals
– Other osteopathy recommendations in the upcoming Federal BudgetIn the lead up to the Australian Federal Budget in May 2023, Australian Health Journal reached out to peak health industry bodies to hear about their priorities, either noted in pre-budget submissions lodged with Federal Government in January 2023 or in recent forums such as the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce.
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Success in WA pilot to observe babies showing delays in social interaction & communication development
Inklings – led by The Kids Research Institute Australia – is a program for babies aged 6-18 months whose communications skills are developing differently to expected milestones. In early 2025 it has completed the first year of a pilot program.
At the time of filming (Nov 2024), Inklings has received more then 300 enquiries across WA and started to deliver services to 160 children, with almost 60 who have completed the program.
