The Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) has welcomed the Miles Government’s announcement of four new nurse-led healthcare clinics across Queensland.
The clinics will operate for extended hours (8am to 10pm) seven days a week, with highly-qualified Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and nurses providing Queenslanders with access to free healthcare, when and where they need it in the community.
The Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Service and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman, said the clinics will focus on women’s healthcare, providing treatment for non-life threatening injuries and illnesses.
This is a win for the QNMU which has long-campaigned for the establishment of nurse-led models of care in Queensland, pointing to the success of walk-in clinics in the ACT and Tasmania.
“We commend the Miles Government for this increased investment in nurses and innovative models of nurse-led primary care,” QNMU Secretary Sarah Beaman said today.
“Nurse-led practice models in the ACT and Tasmania have been very successful in providing people with treatment and preventative healthcare, helping alleviate wait times in EDs, as hospitals struggle with workforce shortages and increased demands for health services.
“In a cost-of-living crisis, free healthcare has never been more important, and some of our QNMU members have expressed concerns that our EDs are becoming a ‘one-stop shop’ for all kinds of health conditions.
“The QNMU applauds this increased investment in nurses and in innovative models of nurse-led primary care which will allow more Queenslanders to receive quality, safe healthcare in the community, without the need to go to a ED or a doctor.”
