Australian College of Nursing (ACN) CEO, Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN, said the decision by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to allow appropriately qualified and trained Nurse Practitioners to prescribe MS-Step 2 for medical terminations will make access to this treatment and comprehensive quality health care more equitable for all Australian women.
Adjunct Professor Ward said this decision recognises the breadth of the scope of practice of Nurse Practitioners and will ensure that more women, especially in rural and remote communities, can access the health information and services they need.
“Nurse Practitioners with appropriate qualifications and training can now prescribe MS Step-2 without the need for certification,” Adjunct Professor Ward said.
“This decision makes health care for women safer, more accessible, more equitable, and it removes red tape.
“Medical terminations are safer and more affordable than surgical interventions.
“Nurse Practitioners are readily available at all stages of the medical termination process for women.
“They can provide information and education prior to the termination.
“They can monitor the woman after the treatment and provide ongoing comfort and care.
“They are there every step of the way.
“This is a perfect example of how access to treatment can be improved by widening the scope of practice of nursing.
“It reduces delays in seeking support and treatment and it provides more time with a nurse for wider health prevention education, sexual health, sexual safety, reproductive health, primary and preventative health and an overall health and wellbeing screening.
“It shows that we can shape health care access and provision in ways that better meet the needs of patients and the community.
“Nurses are key to strengthening primary care,” Adjunct Professor Ward said.
The changes take effect from 1 August 2023.
