Nurse Practitioners in New Zealand

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Nurse Practitioner Employment and Development Working Party
Planning Day, 21 February 2006

The Ministerial Working Party spent a day in planning, and in identifying issues to be addressed by the working party in the year’s work schedule. Discussion points raised by the sector the previous day were closely considered in this process.

An interim report on how the Working Party plans to achieve its objectives is to be with the Minister by June 2006. This will

• identify structured pathways for nurse practitioner development
• ensure that the development is closely aligned to District Health Board population health and disability needs, aligned with the Government’s health strategy
• explore funding schemes and recommend funding models that will address barriers to nurse practitioner utilisation across primary, secondary and tertiary health care.

The perceived barriers that exist to nurse practitioner employment; the opportunities that exist for nurse practitioner roles in non-health funded organisations; the potential for nurse practitioners within non-governmental organisations were amongst the subjects discussed. Strategies to address these opportunities will be developed.

The potential for the use of unspent vote health money, already allocated through improved access programmes, in the creation of nurse practitioner roles will be identified.

The Working Party will meet with and work with potential funders and key stakeholders to traverse the possibilities and opportunities for Nurse Practitioners within their areas of involvement. Developing sustainable employment opportunities within them for nurse practitioners is one way of achieving the Government’s objectives of reducing inequalities, improving access and improving the management of chronic disease.

The role of DHBNZ and others, in facilitating workforce development, will be explored. Training and support issues will be assessed.

The Working Party is determined that this opportunity to address disparities in health in New Zealand through employment opportunities for Nurse Practitioners will be maximised.


Kim Tito
Chair
Nurse Practitioner Employment and Development Working Party