Australian Capital Territory
Health (Nurse Practitioner Positions) Approval 2010 (No 3)*
Notifiable instrument NI2010-546
made under the	
Health Regulation 2004 - section 8 (approval of Nurse practitioner positions) 

1	Name of instrument

This instrument is the Health (Nurse Practitioner Positions) Approval 2010 (No 3).

2	Commencement

This instrument commences on the day after notification.

3	Scope of Practice for nurse practitioner positions

Under section 8, approval of nurse practitioner positions, I have approved the establishment of a Women’s Health Service Nurse Practitioner position within Child, Youth & Women’s Health Service, Community Health.

The scope of practice statement for the nurse practitioner position is attached.
As this position is ‘new’, the clinical practice guidelines and medication formularies are a work in progress.  These will be finalised within the first three months of the position being established and after they are endorsement by the local Clinical Practice Guideline Advisory Committee.  The endorsed Clinical Practice Guidelines will then be submitted for final approval and endorsement by the Chief Nurse and Chief Executive ACT Health.

Dr Peggy Brown 
Chief Executive

17 September 2010

	Nursing and Midwifery Office
Level 2, 11 Moore Street, Canberra City ACT 2601
GPO Box 825 Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: 02 6205 0893
Website: www.health.act.gov.au
ABN: 82 049 056 234	

File No:	XXXXXXXX	

Scope of Practice Statement for 
Nurse Practitioner Women’s Health Service

The Women’s Health Service Nurse Practitioner will work autonomously within a multidisciplinary, collaborative team environment to provide continuity of expert health care, especially in the area of sexual and reproductive health for clients of Women’s Health Service.  

The scope of practice for the Nurse Practitioner in the Women’s Health Service includes the full and accurate assessment of each client’s presenting complaint/s, diagnosis, health care planning, intervention and advice. This includes, when appropriate, the prescribing of medications as approved within the relevant Clinical Practice Guidelines, and ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests.  Additionally, the provision of opportunistic health promotion and education is included in this role.

The role of the Women’s Health Service Nurse Practitioner also includes the ongoing clinical governance, support and education of women’s health nurses and the ongoing development and review of operational guidelines.  The Nurse Practitioner is a clinical leader and role model for all members of the multidisciplinary team. 

The Women’s Health Service Nurse Practitioner will see women who meet the eligibility criteria for the ACT Women’s Health Service. The Women’s Health Service sees women who:
a.	Have a health care card; 
b.	Have a first language other than English and who experience language barriers in accessing health services; 
c.	Are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent; 
d.	Have difficulties with mental health or substance abuse issues; 
e.	Are on Disability Support Pension or have a disability; 
f.	Have experienced violence, abuse and/or neglect; and/or
g.	Are homeless or in a refuge.

The Women’s Health Service Nurse Practitioner will not see the following:
a.	Men;
b.	Clients who do not meet the eligibility criteria for Women’s Health Service;
c.	Clients presenting with serious, acute conditions, including acute mental illness;
d.	Young women under 14 years of age;
e.	Clients requiring ongoing chronic disease management.
Clients within these categories will be referred in accordance with well-defined referral pathways.