Primary Health Care Nurses Day: A Big Week in Canberra

APNA had a huge week in Canberra, celebrating Primary Health Care Nurses Day and championing the incredible work of Australia’s 104,000+ primary health care nurses.

Kicking things off – Tuesday 3 February

APNA CEO Stephen Duns, President Denise Lyons and Chief Advocacy Officer Tarek Dale started the week with a series of meetings alongside leaders from other nursing and midwifery peak bodies. Lots of great conversations, lots of shared goals—and plenty of energy around strengthening the primary health care nursing workforce.

They also popped in to visit the brilliant team at Ochre Health in Bruce. Ochre has been part of APNA’s Transition to Practice Program for 18 months now, supporting 10 new nurses as they start their primary health care careers. It’s exactly the kind of partnership that helps build confidence, skills and a stronger workforce for the future.
 

Denise, Stephen and the dedicated nursing team at Ochre Health Bruce.

The big day – Wednesday 4 February

Primary Health Care Nurses Day was celebrated at Parliament House, thanks to the support of Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Rebecca White. The event brought together politicians, nursing leaders, peak bodies and—most importantly—primary health care nurses themselves.

Stephen and Denise welcomed a great mix of guests, including Minister for Aged Care and Seniors Sam Rae, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Professor Alison McMillan, leaders from other nursing peaks including CATSINaM and the Australian College of Nurses, as well as a long list of supportive MPs and senators from across the political spectrum who came along to hear firsthand about the essential role PHC nurses play in keeping Australians healthy.

Denise gave a speech setting out how important a role nurses working in the community play in preventing smaller issues from becoming bigger ones.

Denise would like to see greater recognition for what nurses do and what they could do if they were able to work to their full scope of practice.

"Primary health care nurses are there before things unravel. Before a condition escalates. Before a preventable admission. Before someone’s world becomes smaller because their health has failed them," Denise says.

"If we want a health system that keeps people well and out of hospital, we must fully enable the largest workforce in primary health care."

A huge shout-out to our superstar nurses Amy, Hannah, Mary, Aina and Ruth for joining us from their workplaces to share their experience and passion. Their stories were the highlight of the day.

Our primary health care superstars, Amy, Hannah, Mary, Aina and Ruth, with APNA CEO, Denise Lyons.	Denise with Dr Mike Freedlander, Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability and Special Envoy for Men's Health, Dan Repacholi, Federal Member for Hunter.	APNA CEO Stephen Duns with Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Rebecca White.
Nurses with Tom French, Federal Member for Moore.

Before heading back to HQ – Thursday 5 February

To round out the week, Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler met with Stephen and nurses Amy Morton and Hannah Dee at Parliament House to show his support for Primary Health Care Nurses Day.

It was the perfect finish to a week dedicated to celebrating the people who make such a difference in every corner of the country. Primary health care nurses are essential at every stage of life—and we’re proud to keep championing their work.