Nurse-led clinics open new pathways to care

At a glance 

• 18 general practices developed nurse-led models of care  

• 25+ nurses cared for 252 patients 

• 78% of patients booked follow-up appointment 

• 28 practices entered program for 2026  

An innovative approach to primary care is helping people across the Murrumbidgee access timely healthcare while making better use of the skills of practice nurses. 

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) piloted nurse-led clinics across 18 general practices from October 2024 to May 2025, supporting practices to develop models of care responding to the needs of their communities. 

The clinics provided chronic disease management and preventive healthcare in areas including diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, chronic heart failure, First Nations preventive health and healthy ageing in residential aged care. Participants included more than 25 nurses who provided care to 252 patients. 

The model enabled nurses to take a greater role in routine and ongoing care, while working closely with GPs. This helped free GP capacity for people with more complex or acute needs – an important benefit in communities experiencing health workforce shortages. 

MPHN Practice Nurse Program Officer, Elise Penton, played a key role in establishing the program. 

"Practice nurses have significant skills and knowledge that can be used more fully in primary care," Ms Penton said. "This program gave practices the opportunity to design a model around their community and their workforce, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach." 

Early results from the clinics were encouraging, with 78% of patients booking follow-up appointments, supporting continuity of care, while 94% of participating GPs and practice managers considered the model sustainable, and 87% expressing willingness to continue using it. The clinics also enabled early intervention, including detection of a cardiac abnormality in a young patient. 

"We're only beginning to see what this model can achieve," Ms Penton said. "Better access and stronger continuity of care have the potential to improve outcomes, particularly for people living with chronic disease." 

Following the success of the pilot, MPHN has been commissioned to expand the initiative to a further 28 practices across the region, which will extend the reach of nurse-led care and test its potential as a sustainable response to regional workforce pressures. 

Images from blog, unless there is a photo of Elise on file?