The publication of the fifth edition of the Primary Clinical Care Manual (PCCM) 2007 reflects the continued collaboration between the Greater Western Area Health Service (GWAHS) of New South Wales and the Workforce Directorate – Northern Area Health Service. Ranging from the South Australian border in the west to Bathurst in the east, the GWAHS comprises more than half of the geographical area of NSW including the majority of remote NSW.
The GWAHS continues to work with Workforce Directorate – Northern Area Health Service in delivering the Rural and Isolated Practice RN Course to the NSW setting as the “Outback Nursing Course.” The links with Workforce Directorate – Northern Area Health Service continue to strengthen and the involvement of NSW in this edition of the PCCM will enable nurses who have completed the Outback Course to use the PPCM as a very useful clinical resource.
Each Health Management Protocol (HMP) presumes that a thorough physical assessment and a specific and general medical history have occurred. The PCCM has been written to take into account the limited diagnostic resources (e.g. radiological imaging and laboratory testing) available in remote clinics and Multi Purpose Services. Nurses are expected to have a close working relationship with a local or RFDS Medical Officer especially when needing to instigate treatment regimes.
Queensland and NSW have significant differences in legislation covering the administration and supply of medications in isolated areas. The differences in the NSW Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulations require Registered Nurses to seek a Medical Officer’s order prior to administering the majority of medications listed in the PCCM. Upon agreement from the GWAHS, those Registered Nurses who have
successfully completed the Outback Nursing Course may be able to administer many of the medications listed in the PCCM under standing orders from a Medical Officer. If this is the case then State and local policy on drug standing orders will apply.
Primary Care Nurse Practitioners practising in remote areas may find it useful to have parts or all of the PCCM approved by their AHS Chief Executive as their clinical guidelines. If this is the case then those medications listed for particular clinical conditions might become their approved drug formulary.
The GWAHS thanks Queensland Health and the Workforce Directorate – Northern Area Health Service for their generous collaboration and looks forward to a continuing partnership for the provision of remote area clinical resources.
Dr Claire Blizard
Chief Executive
Greater Western Area Health Service
1 June 2007
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