Response to evolving profession

Government, FNC prepare to review Nursing Act

THE Ministry of Health and the Fiji Nursing Council will soon undertake a thorough and extensive consultations after Cabinet endorsed the review of the Nursing Act 2010 yesterday.

The law established the FNC and provides for the registration of registered nurses, registered midwives and certified nurse practitioners, and also coordinates and facilitates the continuing professional development of the nursing profession.

In a statement, Cabinet said the ministry and the council had over the years identified deficiencies in the Act that did not account for developments in the nursing profession. There were also provisions that hindered the full implementation of this law.

Cabinet said a number of internal reviews of the Act were commissioned by the council and these identified the need for a comprehensive review of the Act.

It said nursing services had evolved as health services and medical technology advanced.

“The law must now address the advent of new professional positions and cadres that have been introduced into the health system to support and complement the work of registered nurses,” the Cabinet statement said.

“These developments in the nursing profession in Fiji must be recognised in law, with the appropriate registration process that will protect these cadres and the patients they serve.

“In addition, nursing professionals have pursued advanced nursing education and achieved qualifications for their specialist areas of practice.

“The law must now recognise these new areas of specialist practice for nursing and ensure protection of the patients they serve, and the integrity of their nursing practice.”

The outcome of the review will be brought back to Cabinet for its consideration.