Impacts of Healthcare Delivery & Nursing Practice in Australia

This assignment explores nursing practice within the Australian healthcare system. It addresses the impacts of healthcare delivery on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations, highlighting improved healthcare infrastructure and accessibility. The assignment also outlines key historical events in the Australian healthcare system, including the evolution of public and private hospitals, the formation of public health departments, and the establishment of Medicare. Political and economic factors impacting health are identified, such as poor governance, civil wars, increased taxation, and debt. The principles and parameters of nursing practice are discussed, emphasizing professional relationships, leadership, evidence-based practice, and adherence to ethical and legal guidelines. Historical and current perspectives of the nursing profession and nurse education are examined, including the influence of Nightingale and the International Council of Nurses. Finally, the assignment covers jurisdictional requirements governing nursing practice, including registration standards, competencies, and the code of conduct for nurses. The assignment is supported by relevant references.

TOPIC: Practice nursing within the Australian health care system
ASSESSMENT TASK 1 – QUESTIONING
Please use only APA format of referencing. Do not copy and paste text
from any of the online sources.
Word Length:
Q1. What are the impacts of healthcare delivery in Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islanders in Australia?
There is decreased infant mortality according to (Thomson,2012). This is because there is
improved healthcare infrastructure for mothers among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people. The health services have been made available and accessible to the people compared to
previous times. Health care delivery has promoted the ability of the Australian government to
receive additional funding in a bid to improve the health of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islanders people.
Q2. Write in under 200 words the key historical events that took place
in the Australian Healthcare system.
According to(Hilless, Healy & World Health Organization,2011) during the colonization period,
public hospitals were for the poor sustained by charities while the private hospitals were for the
richThe community health needs were met by doctors who were paid on a fee.In 1901 the federal
government was granted power to control quarantine to prevent diseases.In 1918 after the
influenza outbreak there was formation of the public health department. In 1921 formation of
Common Department of health in conjunction with the States. In 1926 the Federal Health
Council was formed to advise on health matters and changed to National Health Medical

Research in 1938. A shortlived national health insurance was formed in 1938. In 1945 the
pharmaceutical benefits act was formed. In 1946 the Hospital benefits act was passed. The
national health act was passed in 1953. In 1975 a national health insurance was passed known as
Medibank. In 1996 there was the formation of Medicare which covered the healthcare needs for
Australian citizens as a tax-funded insurance and it runs till today. The main financial avenues
funding the Australian healthcare system are the Commonwealth funding the Medicare, the
Pharmaceutical benefits schedule and the Australian Healthcare Agreements. The
Commonwealth funds the public hospitals, aged homes, pharmacists, general practitioners,
public health services and the specialists. The States manage the community health services and
public health services.
Q3. Name two political and two economic factors that impact on
health?
Political factors including poor governance affect health in that there are increased costs of
catering for healthcare needs. Civil wars also lead to the destruction of hospitals and
inaccessibility to health facilities. Economic factors such as increased taxation lead to increased
costs in health care services. Debt limits the growth of health infrastructure and expansion of
health services.
Q4. Identify and describe the principles and parameters of nursing
practice
According to(Nursing, & Federation, 2014) principles of nursing practice include the ability to
understand nursing and general health care. The nurse should maintain professional relationships

with other nurses and other healthcare workers. The nurse should make decisions that reflect
leadership. The nurse should practice evidence-based nursing and plan care for the patient. The
nurse can provide correct information to patients. The nurse participates in policies set by the
Australian government regarding the healthcare system. The nurse should collaborate with other
healthcare workers. Parameters of nursing practice include seeking consent, taking the duty of
care to clients and other healthcare workers, avoidance of negligence and performing activities
within one’s scope of practice.
Q5. Identify and describe the historical and current perspectives of
the nursing profession and nurse education
Historical perspectives include Nightingale establishing schools in London, nursing education
established by Rockefeller foundation. The current perspectives are defined by the International
Council of Nurses who set the code of conduct for nurses and promotes nursing education
through national nurses associations in the globe
Q6. Identify & discuss the jurisdictional requirements that govern
nursing practice including
1. Standards of registration
According to(Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia,2016).A nurse who applies to be
a nurse must have a clear criminal record in all countries. A nurse should be conversant
with English and pass the tests. A nurse applying for registration should explain how they
will engage in further studies to maintain competency. A nurse should be practicing

recently since qualification. A nurse should have professional insurance indemnity
protecting them from civil liability
2. ANMC Competencies for the EN
The nurse engages in professional practice regarding legal and ethical issues. The nurse
engages in critical thinking by engaging in nursing research. The nurse is involved in
providing and coordinating care by nursing assessment. The nurse engages in
collaborative practice by working together with other professionals.
3. Code of Conduct for Nurses
The nurse should provide optimum nursing care. The nurse is accountable for their
nursing practice and ensures continued education. The nurse maintains respectful
relations with other healthcare workers

REFERENCES
Hilless, M., Healy, J., & World Health Organization. (2011). Health care systems in transition:
Australia (No. EUR/01/5012667 (AUS)). Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for
Europe.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. (2016). Registered nurse standards for
practice.Registered nurse standards for practice.
Nursing, A., & Federation, M. (2014). National Practice Standards for Nurses in General
Practice: Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Standards Funded by the
Australian Government Department of Health. Australian Nursing & Midwifery
Federation.
Thomson, N. (2012). Responding to our'spectacular failure'.