See, Treat, Assess And Diagnose

Barefoot Medicine is more than just a doctor’s surgery. It is a place where exceptional care meets compassion. At the heart of its success are the dedicated nurse practitioners whose expertise and commitment make every patient feel valued and cared for.

A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is an advanced Registered Nurse with specialised skills, expertise, and the authority to diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions across all ages. With additional university-level training at the master's degree level, NPs are equipped with the highest level of clinical independence in the healthcare system.

The title "Nurse Practitioner" was officially introduced in 2000 and is exclusively used by those endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Currently, only about 3,000 individuals in Australia hold this prestigious status.

National practice standards ensure that Nurse Practitioners deliver exceptional, patient-centered care while also playing a pivotal role in clinical research, education, leadership, and the advancement of healthcare services.

Nurse Practitioners offer a wide range of services, including the ability to provide patient rebates through Medicare, prescribe medications, access PBS medicines, refer patients to hospitals and specialists, and order diagnostic tests like x-rays. They are an integral part of the healthcare team, collaborating closely with a range of professionals, from GPs to physiotherapists, dietitians, occupational therapists, and more.

At Barefoot Medicine, we're proud to have two exceptional Nurse Practitioners ready to serve the Whitsunday community. While not GPs, they offer comprehensive healthcare services, assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients just like a GP, and are always here to help you with your health needs.

One of Barefoot’s dedicated Nurse Practitioners, Brett Johnson, shared insights into his role.

“While Nurse Practitioners don’t enjoy the same clinical scope of practice of general practitioners, we are able to prescribe most drugs under the PBS, we can order x-rays and ultrasounds and can refer to medical specialists.”

Barefoot’s other Nurse Practitioner, Rachel Jakeman explained how being a nurse practitioner allows them to offer a different approach to what a GP may provide.

"As nurses, we tend to assess people a bit differently, taking a more holistic approach and looking at the full picture. That unique nursing perspective, combined with our skill set, can be a real asset."

“While it is a new role, and people aren’t used to seeing nurse practitioners, individuals don’t always know what we can do or our skillset.

"If there's ever a situation where I feel unsure or believe something is outside of my scope of practice, I would handle it like a GP would. I would refer the patient to the appropriate specialist, for instance, if I thought my GP colleagues could provide insight, I would consult with them. However, if I felt a specialist's expertise was needed, I would make the necessary referral."

With the ongoing shortage of GPs in Australia, Nurse Practitioners are increasingly recognised as an excellent alternative. While they differ from GPs, Nurse Practitioners are highly skilled and fully capable of addressing your medical needs with expertise and care.

‍

Rachel Jakeman and Brett Johnson, the two Nurse Practitioners at Barefoot Medicine in Cannonvale. Photo credit: R Jean Photography

‍