The Department of Health WA and WA Primary Health Alliance are pleased to announce the placement of ten nurse practitioners with a primary care service across metropolitan and country locations. This is based on matching following an extensive expression of interest processes for the Nurse Practitioner and Team-Based Primary Care Pilot (Nurse Practitioner Pilot).
Placements began in March 2024 and continue to be rolled out, as further opportunities are identified. Ongoing evaluation will inform the 18-month Pilot as well as being used to inform future primary care policy.
The following practices currently have nurse practitioners placed within their team:
- Albany Medical Centre
- Clarkson Urgent Care Clinic
- Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service
- Nidjalla Waangan Mia
- Homeless Healthcare
- Lockridge Medical Centre
- Pioneer Health Albany
- Pramana Medical Centre
- Quairading Medical Practice
Development of the Nurse Practitioner Pilot
The Nurse Practitioner Pilot is funded for up to 20 nurse practitioners over 18 months, to work with other health practitioners at selected locations to diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions at no cost to patients, while collecting data to inform future primary care policy.
The Pilot aims to enhance the availability and accessibility of comprehensive primary care to the WA community, including supporting the delivery of care to vulnerable and underserved populations.
The Pilot model has been co-developed by the Australian and Western Australian governments and was announced by the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care in February 2023.
The Nurse Practitioner Pilot has been developed in collaboration with WA Primary Health Alliance and the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, in alignment with key recommendations of the:
- Commonwealth Nurse Practitioner Workforce Plan, 2023
- WA Nurse Practitioner Workforce Innovation Strategy (2023-2028)
- Commonwealth Strengthening Medicare Taskforce Report, 2023
- WA Sustainable Health Review Report (2019-2029).
General enquiries about the Nurse Practitioner Pilot can be sent to NPpilot@health.wa.gov.au.