Quality Standards for Diabetes Care Toolkit

MidCentral DHB

A new innovative model of care that sees the implementation of the nurse practitioner role in the aged care sector is increasing access and reducing health care inequalities for older people in the community. This innovation was developed to support three Levin aged residential care facilities in response to a GP shortage in the MidCentral region. Health Workforce New Zealand funded the evaluation, which was completed by the University of Auckland. The innovation was a collaboration between Masonic Village, Enliven Presbyterian, Support Central, Central primary health organisation (PHO) and the MidCentral District Health Board (DHB). The nurse practitioner was a joint appointment for the aged facilities and the Health of Older Persons team in the Central primary health organisation (PHO). The nurse practitioner had weekly scheduled time in each facility and responded to acute clinical events as needed, as well as providing Health of Older Persons services through the PHO and responding to community referrals. The nurse practitioner worked in partnership with the GPs allocated to each facility. The nurse practitioner conducted activities at the facilities such as direct care including assessing residents’ levels of health independence, ordering diagnostic tests, and prescribing and reviewing medications. The nurse practitioner also provided clinical leadership for aged residential care staff and effectively advanced the team’s evidence-based practice. Further information is available at: http://workforceinnovation.hiirc.org.nz/page/43138/nurse-practitioner-role-in-aged-care/;jsessionid=AB340EF9C66FA0FBD366B1E89EA8377C?section=18375.