Bridget Archer, Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing
Tasmanian private practices will be able to access up to $300,000 a year to establish, expand or enhance nurse practitioner positions under a new Tasmanian Government incentive program.
The Private Practice Incentive Program – Nurse Practitioner(s) will help grow Tasmania’s nurse practitioner workforce and improve access to primary and specialist healthcare.
The program will create more employment opportunities for nurse practitioners and strengthen the primary and specialist healthcare workforce.
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bridget Archer, said nurse practitioners make an important contribution to delivering high-quality, patient-centred healthcare across Tasmania.
“Our Government is building an even better health system by supporting private practices to employ more nurse practitioners, we can increase the healthcare capacity available in communities that need it most,’’ Minister Archer said.
“Funding will support private practices to establish, expand or enhance nurse practitioner positions and build sustainable workforce capacity.
“Priority will be given to proposals that improve access to healthcare services, especially in communities experiencing workforce shortages and barriers to care.
“Eligible projects may include new nurse practitioner positions, nurse practitioner-led clinics, extended-hours services and innovative models of care.
“Through our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, we’re boosting our healthcare workforce right across Tasmania.”
Grants will be available for up to two years, with funding ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 per practice per year depending on the number of nurse practitioners employed.
Applications are now open, with successful projects expected to demonstrate long-term sustainability beyond the funding period.
This follows the release earlier this year of a Nurse Practitioner Strategy to provide a vision for a sustainable, integrated and effective nurse practitioner workforce, and a scholarship scheme to support Registered Nurses to obtain their Master of Nurse Practitioner qualifications.
More information on the Private Practice Incentive Program – Nurse Practitioner(s) will be made available on the Department of Health website.