Closing the Gap in Harden: Nurse-Led Clinics Supporting First Nations Health
Living Well Your Way rolled out a Summer Strategy program to General Practice across the Murrumbidgee. Kruger Medical Centre in Harden participated delivering nurse-led clinics designed around the specific needs of the local community, to deliver culturally safe, accessible, and impactful care, for First Nations peoples.
After reviewing both MPHN Health Needs Assessment data and their practice records, the team at Kruger identified a clear priority: to better support First Nations patients in the areas of preventative health and chronic disease management. With a large First Nations population living in Harden and the surrounding region, the clinic developed a First Nations Nurse-Led Clinic focused on building relationships, trust, and continuity of care.
Led by highly experienced practice nurse Rosemary, the clinic model encouraged and booked whole-family appointments, ensured cultural safety throughout her appointment by creating a welcoming environment where community members felt safe and supported.
Key outcomes included:
10 Nurse-Led Clinics delivered
15 First Nations patients engaged in care
100% of patients rebooked for follow-up
73% referred to relevant specialist or allied health services
Average time spent per patient: approximately 53 minutes
Despite facing challenges, including a natural disaster that affected the town during the project, Rosemary and the team remained steadfast in their commitment, continuing to deliver care and maintain trust with their community.
Kruger Medical Centre achieved an 80% attendance rate, and what stood out even more was the growing number of self-referrals. Word quickly spread throughout the community, driven by the genuine care and enthusiasm of lead nurse Rosemary, whose passion for the work created a ripple effect. Her positive, can-do attitude was felt by patients and staff alike, proving that when you truly believe in what you're doing, it resonates with others and drives meaningful engagement.
The Kruger team’s determination and culturally responsive approach played a key role in supporting early intervention, prevention, and ongoing chronic disease care, making real progress toward Closing the Gap in health outcomes for First Nations people.
By embedding respect, time, and continuity into their nurse-led model, the team at Kruger Medical Centre demonstrated what’s possible when healthcare is community-informed and locally led.