Australian College of Nurse Practitioners response to:
Tuesday 11th August 2020
Department of the Senate Senator Hollie Hughes Chair - Select Committee on Autism
By email autism.sen@aph.gov.au
Dear Senator Hughes,
Thank you for the opportunity to provide a submission to the Select Committee on Autism to improve services and support for autistic people in the areas of education, healthcare, employment, housing, justice and rights.
The Australian College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP) is the national peak organisation for Nurse Practitioners, advancing nursing practice and consumer access to health care. A key focus for the role and scope of practice development for Nurse Practitioners is on unmet needs within the community and increasing access to health care.
The ACNP has already requested the national guidelines be changed to include Nurse Practitioners as health practitioners who can diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorders. We have not received a response to this letter, and we attach it for your information.
Currently, many Nurse Practitioners undertake assessments, and diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder, however the patient is required to wait to see another health professional to enable access to ongoing care and support.
Amending the national guidelines to enable and authorise a Nurse Practitioner to formally diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorders would improve accessibility and offer an affordable avenue for those families seeking verification, reduce waiting periods, and remove potential barriers to care. Enabling Nurse Practitioners to formally make this diagnosis allows for more immediate contingency planning for these vulnerable individuals enabling supports to be established from both a health and educational perspective. Additionally, this promotes consistency of care, and reduces the burden of multiple referrals and waiting lists.
Authorising Nurse Practitioners to diagnose formally would also improve economic sustainability, reducing repeated visits to other health care providers, and costs associated with waiting list management. While our primary focus is on better clinical, social and educational outcomes for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders, we also acknowledge that economics must also be a consideration. We have attached the KPMG cost-benefit analysis report commissioned by the Australian Department of Health, published in 2019, that highlights potential savings and opportunities in relation to Nurse Practitioners in Australia.
The Nurse Practitioner has a holistic appreciation of all developmental aspects of a person thus ensuring individualised and comprehensive assessment and accurate diagnosis leading to the establishment of tailored management for future interventions. This ultimately provides avenues for appropriate and comprehensive service intervention, fosters positive health outcomes, enhances educational and learning supports and offers a more favourable trajectory. There is clear evidence that Nurse Practitioners improve access to care, provide cost effective health care, target at-risk populations, and provide services when and where they are most needed, including in rural and remote communities, where access to specialist services is often extremely limited.
Nurse Practitioners have been educated at the Master’s level. This Master’s level education incorporates a ’whole of lifespan ’and ’all body system ’approach, focused on assessment, diagnostics and prescribing. This expands upon the already extensive experience, advanced practice and education of the Registered Nurse. As such, Nurse Practitioners have the skills and knowledge, and experience to perform this role.
Including Nurse Practitioners on the diagnostic health practitioner eligibility list will not only support this vulnerable cohort both diagnostically, but additionally from an educational system perspective.
In addition to the diagnostic capacity, we also seek endorsement to include a Nurse Practitioner’s capacity and authority to complete the “ QLD State Schools Education Adjustment Program (EAP) Verification Form - ASD Evidence Supporting Verification of Disability in the EAP Category of Autism Spectrum Disorder “. This form secures educational assistance services for children with Autism Spectrum disorders within the state school system. Improving the educational experiences for these children, their families, fellow students and teaching staff. It is both protective, proactive and a holistic measure to ensure these young people receive the vital support necessary to achieve their potential. We are seeking similar amendments in other States and Territories as such processes are reviewed.
Thank you again for the opportunity to participate in this important review.
Yours sincerely
Leanne Boase President 26/204-218 Dryburgh St, North Melbourne 3051
Attached:
- Letter to Autism CRC 5/3/2020
- KPMG Report 2019