In 2010 a collaborative Oncology Nurse Practitioner (ONP) project was generated between the Wimmera Health Care Group (WHCG), East Grampians Health Service (EGHS) and Stawell Regional Health (SRH) with the support of the Grampians Integrated Cancer Service (GICS). Each of the three participating health services are situated on the Western highway within the Grampians Integrated Cancer Service area, Victoria.
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The project team identified service gaps and anticipated that a highway model of care using an Oncology Nurse Practitioner could:
• Link the existing Oncology services and provide liaison with the visiting Medical Oncologist
• Provide local clinical expertise in cancer care to the existing multidisciplinary team
• Provide consumers with timely access to information and co-ordination of care including follow-up, management of oncological emergencies and supportive care.
• Provide advanced skills and extended scope of practice to the nursing divisions
• Co-ordinate and provide education and clinical support to both Oncology and general nurses who care for patients with cancer.
From this innovative body of work, and in view of the increasing demand and the tyranny of distance for Grampians rural cancer patients, a position to enhance existing services and develop a sustainable model of care across rural Oncology Services in the region, was developed and implemented.
Now 2 years on from this project, an endorsed Nurse Practitioner (NP) works full time in this pioneering role. This presentation will discuss the challenges that the incumbent NP has faced in introducing the role which include understanding rural healthcare; navigating the endorsement process of APHRA; negotiating credentialing at each of the collaborating health services; negotiating support from the visiting Private Oncology team and the collaborating public health services; understanding the relationships and dynamics between each key stakeholder in the region.