practice nurse MBS item number

New push for lifestyle advice item

THE Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) is pushing for an MBS item number for practice nurses to provide lifestyle advice to patients at risk of chronic diseases, with diabetes prevention the main target. Currently, practice nurses are limited to assisting GPs with health assessments and chronic disease management services such as the Diabetes Cycle of Care, GP Management Plans and Team Care Arrangements. Under item 10997, practice nurses can monitor and support patients with chronic diseases by seeing them up to five times a year, but only after a diagnosis has been made. Julie Porritt, principal ...