Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson has welcomed two new nurse practitioners who will be starting work at Gunnedah Hospital from next week

Mr Anderson said the two nurse practitioners would be a big boost to the workforce at the hospital and would provide a high level of care for patients from across the Gunnedah Shire

“These nurse practitioners bring expert knowledge, advanced specialised education and diagnostic skills to our communities, and, from talking to our health workers, I know that the leadership of these highly skilled nurses will be incredibly valuable,” Mr Anderson said.

“We are delivering on our commitment to boost our region’s health workforce. The redeveloped Gunnedah Hospital will need additional staff and I look forward to continuing to work with the Regional Health Minister Bronnie Taylor on what more can be done to boost that workforce.”

Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the newly recruited nurse practitioners will join the communities of Gunnedah, Glen Innes and Bingara from next week.

“The new nurse practitioners will be a very welcome to boost to these communities, with these highly skilled nursing professionals able to operate autonomously and collaboratively to treat people with highly complex and chronic health conditions,” Mrs Taylor said. 

“Nurse practitioners are able to request diagnostic investigations, prescribe medicines and receive referrals – a vital backup in communities where it’s a challenge to attract doctors.”  

The employment of nurse practitioners across local health districts in rural facilities is an emerging model in NSW, to improve access to health services. NSW Health employs more than 280 nurse practitioners across the state.