With general practices facing the challenges of a GP workforce shortage, rising rates of chronic diseases and an ageing population, many practices are employing nurses to ensure they are able to continue to deliver a high level of quality care to the community.

The benefits of having a nurse/s as part the general practice team include:

• Additional clinical support for GPs
• Improved work satisfaction for the GP/s
• Enhanced chronic disease management
• Increased range of services offered by practices
• Assistance in primary-acute sector integration

"Since we employed a nurse, we have been able decrease our workload in certain areas, while increasing our practice income through better access to PIP and EPC payments.  We benefit, and our patients definitely benefit also."       

Dr Adele Stewart, GP, Woonona (Dr Stewart's practice now employs multiple practice nurses)

The Illawarra Shoalhaven Medicare Local (ISML) supports the integration of nurses into the general practice setting by providing assistance with recruitment, orientation, ongoing professional development and networking opportunities. 

Practice Nurse Incentive Program - January 2012

Medicare Australia and the Commonwealth Government have released the guidelines for the new Practice Nurse Incentive Program (PNIP). This new incentive aims to simplify financing arrangements of the current Practice Incentive Program (PIP) practice nurse incentive and six of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) practice nurse item numbers and redirecting them into a single payment. Under the new payment structure, eligible practices will receive payments of up to:

>> $12,500 per year for an enrolled nurse or Aboriginal Health Worker
>> $25,000 per year for a registered nurse
>> $25,000 per year for an eligible allied health professional (only available to practices in urban areas of
      workforce shortage - check with Medicare)

Payments for this incentive are calculated based on a practice's Standardised Whole Patient Equivalent (SWPE) and contracted hours of the employed nurse / Aboriginal Health Worker / eligible allied health professional.

The program also offers top up payments to ensure practices are in no way disadvantage by the removal of the current practice nurse incentive and six MBS item numbers and a one off $5000 incentive payment to eligible non-accredited practices to become accredited. For more information on the PNIP including program information, guidelines and to find out how much your practice may be eligible for, see the links below:

Summary of Key Information for Practice - Developed by Shire GPs
Comprehensive information on Practice Nurse Incentive Program - Medicare Australia
Program Guidelines - Department of Health & Ageing

PNIP Resources

Developing a Bussiness Case for an Enhanced Practice Nurse Role under the Practice Nurse Incentive Program (PNIP) -  A Guide for General Practice on Bussiness Case Development (November 2011f)

Creating Opportunity - Practices Nurses Workig with the Community and Creating Health (November 2011)

Practice Nursing - Education/Training Needs

The ISML Primary Care Support Team provides ongoing education to local practice nurses. Through the Practice Staff Needs Survey, the following areas have been established as training needs for 2012: 

• Chronic disease management including care planning, patient self management and preventative care 
• Diabetes
• Asthma
• Spirometry
• Wound care
• Immunisation, cold chain and ACIR
• Medical Director training including recalls
• Medicare items with updates on new items

If you would like to contribute training needs or make any suggestions please contact the Primary Care Support Team on 4220 7600 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

Details about upcoming practice nursing events can be found on the ISML Education Calendar  

More Information for Practice Nurses and Practices

Information for Practices
Information for General Practice Nurses 
Information for Nurses interested in working in General Practice

Nursing in General Practice Projects

Nurse Led Clinics Promoting Improved Management of Coronary Heart Disease.

ISML has completed the latest NiGP Project that assisted practices to establish nurse led clinics for patients with Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). Building on the success of the Collaboratives project participating practices were provided with assistance to design a model that best suited the needs of their practice and their patients. Through the use of evidence-based guidelines, patients have been able to receive support to improve their capacity and confidence to self manage their chronic condition.

If you would like any information about NiGP, please contact the Practice Support Team on 4220 7600. 

Relevant Websites

National Heart Foundation

Professional Development

• APNA Online Learning
• Ausmed Conferences
• The Benchmarque Group
• The College of Nursing
• Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District 
• GPNSW
• Royal College of Nursing Australia

Professional Issues

• Competency Standards for Nurses Working in General Practice
• ANMC Code of Professional Conduct
• ANMC Code of Ethics
• Nurses Modern Awards

Supporting Nurses Working in General Practice

There are a number of state and national bodies that are able to provide assistance to practice nurses. Further information can be found at the links below

• Australian Practice Nurse Association (APNA)
• Australian General Practice Network (AGPN)
• Royal Australian College of Nursing (RCNA)

For further information about Nursing in General Practice, please contact the Primary Care Support Team on 4220 7600 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it