With general practices facing the challenges of a GP workforce shortage, rising rates of chronic diseases and an ageing population, many practices are employing nurses to ensure they are able to continue to deliver a high level of quality care to the community.

The benefits of having a nurse/s as part the general practice team include:

• Additional clinical support for GPs
• Improved work satisfaction for the GP/s
• Enhanced chronic disease management
• Increased range of services offered by practices
• Assistance in primary-acute sector integration

"Since we employed a nurse, we have been able decrease our workload in certain areas, while increasing our practice income through better access to PIP and EPC payments.  We benefit, and our patients definitely benefit also."       

Dr Adele Stewart, GP, Woonona (Dr Stewart's practice has since employed a second nurse)

The Illawarra Division of General Practice (IDGP) supports the integration of nurses into the general practice setting by providing assistance with recruitment, orientation and ongoing professional development and networking opportunities.  Further information can be found at the links bellow

• Practice Nurse Education
• Professional Development
• Professional Issues
• Supporting Nurses Working in General Practice

General Practice - Practice Nursing Network

The IDGP Practice Nursing Network (PNN) provides local general practice nurses with the opportunity to come together every second month for an evening of education and networking.  Quality speakers are sourced to present at these sessions, and topics are based on the needs identified in consultation with practice nurses and on the introduction of new initiatives and item numbers.

The IDGP Practice Support Team is in the process of developing the 2010 practice nurse education calender.  Through the Practice Staff Needs Survey the following areas have been established as Training needs

• Chronic disease management including care planning, patient self management and prevention
• Diabetes, women’s health and asthma
• Wound care
• Immunisation, cold chain and ACIR
• Medical Director training including recalls
• Medicare items with updates on new items

If you would like to contribute training needs or suggestions please contact the practice support team at 4220 7600

Details about upcoming practice nursing events can be found on the IDGP Education Calendar  

Nursing in General Practice Projects

 Nurse Led Clinics Promoting Imporved Management of Coronary Heart Disease.

The IDGP is embarking on an exciting project funded by the Nursing in General Practice Program, to assist GPs to establish nurse led clinics for patients with Coronary Heart Disease (CHD).

The project builds on from the success of the Collaboratives project and aims to work with practices to establish nurse-led clinics to enhance their capacity to provide efficient, integrated and multidisciplinary cares for patients with CHD. Practcies involved will recieve intensive support from the IDGP to design the appropiate clinical model based on individual practice needs. This includes: assistance in redesigning work roles and practice systems (such as defining clinical and administrative roles), improved use of IM/IT (such as recall/reminder systems), and education for all practice staff (such as clinical guidelines for management of CHD and teamwork resources).

The evidence suggests that a nurse led clinic for the self management of chronic disease such as CHD has positive outcomes for teh GP, the practice nurse, the administration staff and ultimately, the patient. If you would like any information about the NiGP project, please contact Katherine van Putten NiGP and Cervical Screening Project Officer: 4220 7644.

Relevant Websites

Professional Development

• APNA Online Learning
• Ausmed Conferences
• The Benchmarque Group
• The College of Nursing
• SESIAHS
• GPNSW

Professional Issues

• Competency Standards for Nurses Working in General Practice
• ANMC Code of Professional Conduct
• ANMC Code of Ethics

IDGP Connect

 Application for IDGP connect email account

Supporting Nurses working in General Prctice

There are a number of state and national bodies that are able to provide assistance to practice nurses, further information can be found at the links below

• Australian Practice Nurse Association (APNA)
• Australian General Practice Network (AGPN)
• Royal Australian College of Nursing (RCNA)

For further information about Nursining in General Practice, please contact the Practice Support Team at 4220 7600