Northern Rivers leads nation in nursing care

AFTER 18 months of 38 new nurse-led clinics in the Northern Rivers, 13 practices have shown the strongest uptake in the country for the Building Nurse Capacity (BNC) program.

The participating practices are assisted in designing, implementing, and delivering nurse-led models of care tailored to local health needs, with expert support from the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association’s (APNA).

Each clinic is focused on one of five priority health areas: cardiovascular health, diabetes mellitus, cancer control (screening and prevention), injury prevention (healthy ageing), and mental health.

As part of APNA’s 2023-2026 cohort, program coordinators said the success reflected the region’s commitment to strengthening primary care and improving community health access.

Thousands of patients on the North Coast have benefited from the clinics, and Kingscliff Health was selected as one of the top-performing clinics, receiving a six-month funding extension.

Other Northern Rivers clinics in the top performers included Alstonville Clinic, Bangalow Medical Centre and Cabarita Beach Medical for diabetes and Lismore GP Super Clinic for mental health.

Mullumbimby Medical Centre for cancer control, and Ocean Shores Medical Centre and Queen Street Medical Centre for cardiovascular health, were also among the top-ranking participants.

Healthy North Coast CEO Monika Wheeler said the program’s success highlighted the critical role nurses play in delivering high-quality care.

“Over the past 18 months, we’ve seen some truly wonderful and innovative nurse-led clinics come to life across the North Coast,” Wheeler said.

“From chronic disease support to preventative health and healthy ageing, our nurses have designed services that respond directly to community needs.

“Their leadership is strengthening our primary care system at a time when GP shortages remain a challenge, and it’s inspiring to see the difference these clinics are already making for patients.”