Nurse-Led Clinics: A Summer Strategy Success for Murrumbidgee
The Living Well, Your Way Summer Strategy is a Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network led initiative, held between October and May 2024-25. The initiative successfully introduced a new model of care, nurse-led clinics, at 17 general practices across the region. The aim was to support prevention, early intervention, and long-term chronic disease management by empowering nurses to work to their full scope of practice, delivering innovative, patient-focused, care closer to home.
This initiative provided general practices with funding to support the design and establishment of a sustainable nurse-led clinic model in their practice. 262 patients participated in 106 clinics across five key clinical priority areas: healthy ageing, First Nations health, chronic respiratory disease, chronic heart failure, and diabetes management.
Key outcomes of initiative include:
An increase in nurse confidence and clinical leadership through hands-on clinic management and decision-making roles.
Improved patient engagement and satisfaction by offering timely, accessible care tailored to individual needs.
Stronger collaboration and teamwork between GPs, nurses, and administrative staff, enhancing continuity of care.
Identification of sustainable pathways, protocols, and tools to support the expansion and ongoing success of Nurse-Led Clinics across the region.
Spotlight Feature: Boorowa Street Medical Practice, Young
Boorowa Street Medical Practice has been a standout participant, launching a dedicated diabetic nurse-led clinic with a focus on foot health, a critical component of diabetes management. Over four months, the team delivered 11 targeted clinic sessions, providing ongoing assessment and education to 17 patients. Led by practice nurses Roxanne and Sue, this clinic has successfully met the specific needs of the local community through structured, evidence-based care.
Building on this momentum, Roxanne has further expanded her clinical expertise by establishing a respiratory clinic aimed at patients living with COPD and asthma. This service now offers spirometry testing, diagnostic support, and targeted interventions designed to reduce hospital admissions and improve quality of life for patients in Young and surrounding areas.
Roxanne reflects on the journey with enthusiasm: “I found these clinics really beneficial and encourage anyone thinking about starting one to just get in and give it a go.” Her words echo the positive impact nurse-led models can have, both for patients and for the professional development of nurses themselves within the Murrumbidgee district.
For more information about Summer Strategy and nurse-led clinics email:
info@livingwellyourway.com.au
