Strengthening health services through optimising nursing: Evaluation of nursing led services with nurse practitioners in regional Queensland

As Australia’s population ages, the health sector is required to react to improve services for this vulnerable cohort and to do so within shrinking health budgets. The health picture of an aging population often encompasses an acute exacerbation of one or more of a range of chronic co-morbidities that then require hospital admission. Evidence supports a multi-targeted approach to chronic disease management. Coordinated care, between primary care, community care and tertiary care facilities has the potential to achieve cost savings from reduced hospitalisations and improved quality of life.