As general practice contemplates a future that involves an ageing population, an increasing incidence of chronic disease, the drive for patient-centred care and different funding models to support new models of care, it is worthwhile contemplating what that future would look like without practice nurses.

According to the Health of the Nation 2019 Report, 92% of GP respondents indicated their practice employed a practice nurse, and the average number of practice nurses employed in a practice is 3.1.

With about 14,000 nurses working in general practice across the country, they are an essential part of general practice as we know it in Australia.

They support GPs in providing a comprehensive range of services, yet in many instances are underutilised.