Nurse practitioners, specialist health workers who can independently treat patients in a number of settings, may soon be easier to employ across the ACT.
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That's welcome news for passionate practitioner David Sander who believes they are currently underutilised.
He is one of about 40 nurse practitioners in the ACT, who have specific post graduate qualifications and clinical training.
"We can offer the community a lot more within individual competencies," Mr Sander said.
Nurse practitioners are able to treat patients independently and can prescribe some medications.
Mr Sander, who works at Tuggeranong nurse walk in centre, said he most commonly treated patients for lower respiratory infections and UTIs.
He said they worked in collaboration with general practitioners and other health professionals.
Health minister Meegan Fitzharris this week endorsed all six recommendations from an independent review into nurse practitioners governance arrangements.
The review found nurse practitioners had suffered from an "exotic species" syndrome and there was support for the normalisation of their role.
She said the recommendations would simplify and remove unnecessary regulation for nurse practitioners in the ACT, bringing their role in line with the governance arrangements of other health practitioners.
"Nurse practitioners are able to independently treat patients, including children. With their extensive experience and training they are able to assess and plan patient care, order and interpret test results, prescribe medications and refer patients onto other relevant healthcare providers," Ms Fitzharris said.
"The ACT currently has over 40 nurse practitioners endorsed with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia working in both the public and private sectors.
"These roles operate in a range of specialty areas, including community health centres, GP clinics, residential aged care facilities and hospitals.
"They provide quality care for a broad range of patients, including health promotion and disease prevention, together with services in mental health, chronic disease management, palliative care, family and child health, emergency care and aged care."
