The Government’s commitment to the Nurse Practitioner Workforce Plan is welcome news as Australian’s are encouraged to acknowledge the ‘people at the heart of quality palliative care’ during National Palliative Care Week, 21 May to 27 May. 

“We have long talked about empowering nurse practitioners (NPs) to play a greater role in primary health and palliative care; the May Budget and release of the workforce plan last week gives our sector and the wider community confidence,” says Camilla Rowland, Chief Executive Officer, Palliative Care Australia (PCA). 

“In our submission to the consultation  we raised a number of issues around pay, job security and recognition, and training opportunities that need to be addressed. 

“Supporting NPs to work to their full scope of practice, and properly funding their work under the Medicare Benefits Schedule is a positive step.” 

Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney released the Nurse Practitioner Workforce Plan on the eve of National Palliative Care Week and spoke of the vision she sees of nurse practitioners providing “clinical care for acute and chronic conditions across a lifespan.” 

“The Minister’s thinking fits with our own and that of our members around Australia, the next step is making sure that nurse practitioners and others delivering primary health care,  receive palliative care training so that they can fully embrace care across a lifespan,” Ms Rowland says. 

“Nurse practitioners and primary health are key to increasing access to palliative care, that’s something we are highlighting during National Palliative Care Week and are delighted that Minister Kearney will launch the week for us tonight (22 May) at Parliament House. 

“The Australian Government funds a range of well-regarded palliative care training programs, and we have been talking with the Minister about how these opportunities can reach primary health and aged care professionals – this is so important to meeting the need we see now and in the future.” 

The KPMG Palliative Care Economic Report, 2020 reveals that demand for palliative care will increase by 50% between now and 2035, and double by 2050 as Australia’s population ages and the level of chronic disease grows. 

“The community can show their support by sharing their thoughts on social media this week using #MattersOfLifeAndDeath,” Ms Rowland says. 

“We are partners in the reforms that are rolling out, including the Nurse Practitioner Workforce Plan, and will keep working hard to make sure palliative care is part of the plan.”