District Council of Robe, Naracoorte News
The Robe community will soon benefit from a new healthcare service that will significantly improve access to primary care. Robe is one of only two locations in regional South Australia, alongside Ceduna, to be selected for the expanded Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Pilot program, which aims to offer more healthcare options for residents in the region.
This initiative is part of a broader $10 million investment by the Federal Government, with $2.6 million allocated to fund nurse practitioners in GP clinics. The program allows nurse practitioners to assess and diagnose patients, prescribe medications, interpret tests, and make referrals to other health professionals. With their extensive clinical experience and advanced education at the Masters level, nurse practitioners will provide high-quality healthcare services, ensuring that Robe residents have access to timely care without needing to visit an emergency department.
“This is fantastic news for the Robe community and an important step forward in improving local healthcare access,” said the Mayor. “Robe is one of only two regional locations selected for this pilot, highlighting the importance of our town in the broader efforts to strengthen primary healthcare in South Australia. We are grateful for this investment and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our residents’ health and well-being.”
The Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Pilot is designed to alleviate pressure on hospital emergency departments by offering residents another avenue for receiving care. In the past five months, more than 1,450 patients in metropolitan areas have already benefitted from the program, including face-to-face consultations and telehealth appointments. The program has proven to be effective in offering urgent care, prescriptions, and referrals to ensure patients’ needs are met.
Nurse practitioners are highly trained and can assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of conditions, prescribe medications, interpret diagnostic tests, and make referrals to specialists or other healthcare providers. Their expertise ensures that residents receive comprehensive, high-quality care without the need to visit an emergency department.
The Nurse Practitioner for Robe will be hosted by the Limestone Coast Health Unit Trust, based at the Robe Medical Centre. According to Dr David Senior, Practice Manager at the Robe Medical Centre, the addition of a Nurse Practitioner will greatly enhance the services available to residents.
“We are thrilled to be part of this exciting new program,” said Dr Senior. “The Nurse Practitioner will be a valuable asset to our team, allowing us to offer more comprehensive care to the Robe community. This is a great step forward in providing better access to healthcare in the region, and we are excited to see the positive impact it will have on our patients.”
The District Council of Robe remains committed to securing a permanent General Practitioner (GP) for the area, with ongoing advocacy for additional medical services. The current GP, who has served the community for many years, is preparing for retirement, and the Council continues to work toward ensuring long-term healthcare solutions for Robe.
“While this Nurse Practitioner service will provide a valuable boost to healthcare access, we are still focused on securing a permanent GP for Robe,” the Mayor added. “This program is a welcome step, but our commitment to meeting the healthcare needs of our community will continue.”
The District Council of Robe thanks the Federal Government, the State Government, and all parties involved in supporting this important initiative and looks forward to the positive impact this service will have on Robe’s healthcare landscape.
This article appeared in the Naracoorte News.
