Healthy North Coast is celebrating 18 months of successful nurse-led clinics across the region, with 13 local practices participating in the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association’s (APNA) Building Nurse Capacity (BNC) program.

As part of APNA’s 2023-2026 cohort for the BNC program, 13 out of the total 38 practices are in the North Coast region, including the Lismore GP Super Clinic and the Alstonville Clinic, showing the strongest uptake in the country and reflecting the region’s commitment to strengthening primary care and improving health access for the community.

Through the BNC program, participating practices are supported to design, implement and deliver nurse-led models of care tailored to local health needs. They receive 18 months of expert support from APNA and are focused on one of five priority health areas: cardiovascular health, diabetes mellitus, cancer control (screening and prevention focus), injury prevention (healthy ageing), and mental health.

Practices were given $12,000 each via a co-sponsorship from APNA and Healthy North Coast through Australian Government funding to establish the clinics.

Healthy North Coast CEO Monika Wheeler said the success of the program highlighted the critical role nurses play in delivering high-quality care across the region:

“Over the past 18 months, we’ve seen some truly wonderful and innovative nurse-led clinics come to life across the North Coast.

“From chronic disease support to preventative health and healthy ageing, our nurses have designed services that respond directly to community needs. Their leadership is strengthening our primary care system at a time when GP shortages remain a challenge, and it’s inspiring to see the difference these clinics are already making for patients.”

APNA CEO Stephen Duns, who was on the North Coast this week, was thrilled to see the BNC clinics delivering great outcomes for patients:

“APNA’s Building Nurse Capacity program, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing under the Nursing in Primary Health Care Program, supports nurses in developing nurse-delivered, team-based models of care.

“Over the last decade, we’ve helped nurses set up almost a hundred clinics around Australia that have had a real impact on local access to health care and improved the health and well-being of their communities.

“It’s time that we embrace innovation and expand the adoption of nurse-delivered team-based models of care – if we break down barriers, we know that nurses can do more for the health of their communities.”

Altogether, thousands of patients on the North Coast have benefited from BNC-funded nurse-led clinics.

Two of the North Coast’s participating practices - Kingscliff Health and Coffs Medical Centre - were also selected amongst the top performic clinics and received a six-month funding extension.

Kayley Meredith, Chronic Disease Coordinator at Coffs Medical Centre, established their Healthy Ageing Clinic as part of the BNC program. Since its inception in August 2024, the clinic has seen over 900 patients and provided essential care to the local ageing population.

“Our proactive, person-centred approach, which includes home visits and expert guidance through the My Aged Care system, is not only improving patient outcomes but also fostering greater health equity,” said Kayley.

“Nurses are at the forefront, delivering holistic care that extends beyond traditional general practice, and the clinic's success demonstrates that innovative, nurse-led models can both meet urgent community health needs and ensure long-term financial sustainability.

“We are committed to expanding and refining this model and look forward to enhancing the wellbeing of even more people in our community.”

Healthy North Coast looks forward to continuing its partnership with APNA and local practices to strengthen the local primary health nursing workforce and ensure quality and access of care for patients.

The full list of BNC-funded nurse-led clinics on the North Coast, and their priority areas, is:

• Alstonville Clinic | Diabetes

• Bangalow Medical Centre | Diabetes

• Cabarita Beach Medica | Diabetes

• Coffs Medical Centre | Injury prevention and control (healthy ageing)

• Kingscliff Health | Injury prevention and control (healthy ageing)

• Lismore GP Super Clinic | Mental health

• Long Flat Outreach Medical Service | Cardiovascular health

• Maclean Medical | Diabetes

• Mullumbimby Medical Centre | Cancer control

• O Plus Health Grafton | Cardiovascular health

• Ocean Shores Medical Centre| Cardiovascular health

• Port Macquarie Wound Care Clinic | Injury prevention and control (healthy ageing)

• Queen Street Medical Centre | Cardiovascular health