In this episode of Nursing Australia, hosted by Karen Cook, we hear:

- The latest Nursing Australia News (01:53)

The Federal Government extend Medicare-subsidised telehealth for 6-months, APNA supports nurse prescribing for early medical abortions, COVID-19’s deadly toll on nurses around the world, a new nurse-led clinic opens in Canberra, and high praise from Federal Ministers for primary health care nurses. 

- Race for the human race: COVID vaccines which, how and when? (07:17)

Nine months into this pandemic, there is hope of a vaccine being successfully developed, with over 30 candidate vaccines now in clinical trials around the world. Which vaccines are the front runners and how do they work? 

For APNA members, find an in-depth extended interview with Professor Katie Flanagan on the COVID-19 vaccines that are currently in development: https://apna.asn.au/hub/covid-vaccines-which--how-and-when- 

- COVID aged care: What's gone right? (14:20)

It has been well publicised that there have been serious issues within the aged care sector over the last few months, but there are some positives that have come from the pandemic. These have led to better patient care and a better environment for aged care nurses.  

- APNA PulseCheck: What we have been hearing and what we have been doing (21:31)

Over the last few months APNA has been conducting ‘PulseCheck’ surveys to see how frontline nurses are fairing during the pandemic. APNA’s Policy Manager, Shanthi Gardiner explains what nurses have been saying and what APNA has done to advocate for positive change. 

Guide: Why general practice needs nurses more than ever: https://apna.asn.au/files/DAM/8.%20Nursing%20Tools/TheValueofGeneralPracticeNursesJune2020.pdf

Quotes from nurse respondents: 

“It is extremely stressful for every nurse trying to deal with changes in workflows, insufficient human and PPE resources to keep the clinics safe, trying to deal with flu clinics, telehealth CDM, the constant fear of being infected, and trying to keep our patients safe.”

“It highlights the disadvantaged role caused by the MBS system as practice nurses don't count, or are a financial burden in the mind of the practice team.”

“Telehealth has been VITALLY important. Patients have been afraid to come into the practice during isolation either because they are high risk patients or afraid to come to a practice where they may catch COVID-19. Without telehealth our patients would not have been serviced at all and patients’ other health needs would have been neglected.”

“I feel only hospital staff are getting recognised for what they are doing. In a small community like mine, the general practice is usually the first port of call before the hospital, yet we just get forgotten about.”

- Nurse wellness with Casey Mannix (32:55)

Join APNA’s own Casey Mannix for a relaxing session to help you channel your generosity, clarity, steadiness and love. 

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger