Abstract
In February 2022, a New Zealand general practice proactively sought to enhance the involvement of Registered Nurses (RNs) within their clinic through the use of standing orders and nurse prescribing. This strategic move aimed to address the rising workload for General Practitioners (GPs). The primary goal of this initiative is to deliver timely and thorough care to patients seeking assistance for minor acute ailments, especially when prolonged waiting times delay access to their designated GP. Evaluating the impact of these added services and the broadening of the RN role is crucial for shedding light on the potential advantages of RN-led services.
Descriptive, quantitative, statistics have been used to evaluate the influence of RN-led clinics initiated in 2023 in comparison to the conventional general practice model in 2022. Appointment delivery data was conducted to show the appointments provided by nurses, including nurse practitioners, registered nurse prescribers, and registered nurses in comparison to appointments delivered by GPs. Ethnicity data was also collected to show the trends in service utilisation and the impact this has on different ethnicity populations.
The findings indicate a positive trajectory in the acceptance and utilisation of RN-led clinics, with a notable impact on Māori and Pacifica populations. The data reveals an increase in RN-led appointments with the introduction of nurse-led clinics and an overall increase in total healthcare appointments, suggesting a transformative shift towards nurse-led healthcare.
The analysis of appointment data revealed a significant increase in RN-led appointments, demonstrating the growing acceptance and preference for nurse-led services. The shift towards a more patient-centered and accessible healthcare model aligns with the global trend of task shifting to optimise healthcare resources. The findings underscore the need for continued research, emphasising the importance of longitudinal studies to assess the sustained impact of RN-led services on healthcare delivery.