The number of Nurse Practitioners (NP) is on the rise – and that’s good news for patients. Logan and Beaudesert Health Service (LBHS) is helping lead this growth, strengthening the future of nursing and ensuring more people have access to advanced, patient-centred care.
Over the past few years, LBHS has seen a steady rise in the number of nurse practitioners, reflecting a strong commitment to expanding advanced nursing roles. Today, there are 102 Nurse Practitioners across Metro South Health which is an encouraging sign of growth that is helping to strengthen the sustainability of the nursing workforce.
Jacqueline Smith, LBHS Director of Nursing and Midwifery, said building the NP workforce was a priority for the future.
“Nurse practitioners bring advanced skills and experience to our health service, which not only improves access to care, but also helps us deliver more integrated and patient-centred healthcare.
“This advanced nursing role with the ability to diagnose and treat patients, prescribe medications, and lead models of care helps us to improve our capacity as a health service to serve patients more efficiently and holistically.
“Their unique skills not only enhance patient outcomes but also support collaborative, team-based care across hospitals, community settings, and specialist services.”
As demand for healthcare continues to grow, expanding the NP workforce ensures patients can access timely, holistic care close to home, while supporting doctors, nurses, and allied health teams to work together more effectively.