Remote Area Nurses - Why Won't They Stay?
A report by Sue Currie, former RAN
The report by Sue Currie, a former RAN, details how nurses working alone in remote indigenous communities are suffering escalating stress disorders in silence as they are routinely expected to perform the functions and medical decision-making of more specialised doctors while battling crushing workloads, fatigue, loneliness and isolation.
The report finds that governments, health service managers, nursing and medical authorities maintain a stoic silence about the illegal practice of nurses who must daily make diagnoses, perform complex procedures and prescribe powerful medications without supervision or legal protection.
Download the report [86kb pdf]
| Senator Allison has called for the report's recommendations to be implemented including: |
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a re-examination of RAN workloads, |
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single nurses immediately replaced by at least two per community, |
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the provision of comprehensive pre-service education in indigenous specific clinical care, |
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nurses personal safety protected, and |
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their practices made lawful. |
Sue Currie is now writing a book exposing this scandal and argues that the high levels of indigenous morbidity and mortality ought surprise no-one.
Senator Allison will lead a summit of government officials and community leaders to highlight the issue in Alice Springs at the end of July.
If you would like any further information on this report, or have any comments to contribute, please contact Senator Lyn Allison's electorate office on 03 9416 1880 or email senator.allison@aph.gov.au.
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