The Central Highlands General Practice Network is committed to the Nursing in General Practice Program that is funded from the Department of Health and Aging to support the initiative and focuses on the following two outcomes:
- To help build the capacity of Divisions to deliver support services for practice nursing, in particular to recruit and retain nurses in general practice.
- To coordinate and fund education and professional development opportunities for practice nurses in general practice.
The CHGPN Practice Nurse Network provides an opportunity for nurses to network and receive education on specific topics identified from the practice nurses and aims to address local issues/ needs. General Practice Divisions - Victoria provides access to practice nurse education in the form of the Practice Nurse Training Subsidy, where up to 80% of the course fees of specific courses are subsidised. This helps practice nurses to access education that is not normally affordable or accessible. The role of the Practice Nurse in General Practice covers a variety of areas and often involves the provision of clinical and non clinical services in the practice which may include:
- Triage
- Patient Assessment and health screening
- General Practice Management Plans, Team Care Arrangements, Health Assessments.
- Clinical data management - to improve patient outcomes
- Chronic Disease Management
- Immunisation
- Provision of therapeutic interventions and treatment
- Coordination of patient services - through networking with community health services, allied health and tertiary care facilities
- Patient advocacy
- Clinical environment maintenance - maintenance of cold chain, infection control, maintenance of clinical records, accreditation, occupational health and safety in the workplace
- Health promotion and education
Services provided by the Nursing in General Practice Program
- Assistance with Practice Nurse recruitment
- Advertising
- Position descriptions
- Practice Nurse Award information
- Employment contracts
- Registered Nurse Qualifications - Division 1, Division 2
- Nurses Board of Victoria Registration information
- Understanding and knowledge of General Practice
- Roles and responsibilities of Nurses in General Practice
- Practice Nurse Incentive Program
- Professional Indemnity Insurance
- Practice Nurse Bulletin
- Helpdesk
- Promotion of multidisciplinary team approaches
- Chronic Disease Management
- Immunisation - ACIR
- Medicare Item Number information and support
- Promotion of Practice Nursing
- Encouragement and support of practices to include a nurse in their multidisciplinary team
- Effective partnership with Victoria University to host 3rd Year Undergraduate Nursing students
Useful links:
Professional
Australian Practice Nurse Association
Australian Nursing Federation
Nurses Board of Victoria
AGPN - Nursing in General Practice
Royal College of Nursing Australia
The College of Nursing
Clinical / Disease State
Diabetes Australia
Immunise Australia Program
International Diabetes Institute
National Asthma Council
Family Planning Victoria
The Asthma Foundation Victoria
Wound Foundation of Australia
NAC - Spirometry Resources
Education / Training
GPDV Nursing in General Practice Education and Training Information
Other sites of Interest:
General Practice Divisions - Victoria
For further information contact: CHGPN