The Robe community will soon benefit from a new healthcare service that will significantly improve access to primary care, with the service being welcomed by the coastal town’s leaders.
Robe is one of only two locations in regional South Australia, alongside Ceduna, to be selected for the expanded Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Pilot program, which aims to offer more healthcare options for residents in the region.
This initiative is part of a broader $10m investment by the Federal Government, with $2.6m allocated to fund nurse practitioners in GP clinics.
The program allows nurse practitioners to assess and diagnose patients, prescribe medications, interpret tests and make referrals to other health professionals.
Robe District Mayor Lisa Ruffell said with their extensive clinical experience and advanced education at the Masters level, nurse practitioners will provide high-quality healthcare services, ensuring that Robe residents have access to timely care without needing to visit an emergency department.
“This is fantastic news for the Robe community and an important step forward in improving local healthcare access,” she said.
“Robe is one of only two regional locations selected for this pilot, highlighting the importance of our town in the broader efforts to strengthen primary healthcare in South Australia. We are grateful for this investment and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our residents’ health and well-being.”
Mayor Ruffell said the council remains committed to securing a permanent General Practitioner (GP) for the area, with ongoing advocacy for additional medical services.
“The current GP, who has served the community for many years, is preparing for retirement, and the council continues to work toward ensuring long-term healthcare solutions for Robe,” she said.
“While this Nurse Practitioner service will provide a valuable boost to healthcare access, we are still focused on securing a permanent GP for Robe.
“This program is a welcome step, but our commitment to meeting the healthcare needs of our community will continue.”
The Nurse Practitioner for Robe will be hosted by the Limestone Coast Health Unit Trust, based in the Robe Medical Centre.
The addition of a Nurse Practitioner will greatly enhance the services available to residents, according to the centre’s practice manager Dr David Senior.
“We are thrilled to be part of this exciting new program,” Dr Senior said.
“The Nurse Practitioner will be a valuable asset to our team, allowing us to offer more comprehensive care to the Robe community. This is a great step forward in providing better access to healthcare in the region, and we are excited to see the positive impact it will have on our patients.”