"Our health and workforce challenges are such that we cannot afford to continue to fly without a proper map."

ACN Warns Remote Workforce Crisis Fuels Worst Diphtheria Outbreak in 30 Years

The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) has issued a stark statement regarding workforce planning in remote areas, following a diphtheria outbreak described as the most severe in over three decades.

Persistent Staffing Gaps Undermine Outbreak Response

The outbreak has highlighted persistent difficulties in filling nursing and GP positions in remote and regional Australia. ACN Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr. Zach Byfield stated that these workforce challenges directly undermine the country's ability to prevent and respond to outbreaks.

Central Australian health leaders have reported ongoing struggles to meet vaccination coverage targets, specifically citing chronic staffing shortages as a primary barrier.

ACN’s Urgent Calls and Recommendations

In response to the crisis, ACN is calling for immediate action on two fronts:

• Release the National Nursing Workforce Strategy: The College is urging the government to release this strategy without further delay.
• Funding Reform for Full Scope of Practice: ACN calls for funding reform to allow nurses to lead vaccination clinics and work to their full scope of practice.

"We need to make vaccines as accessible as possible to ensure every Australian, no matter where they live, is protected."

Dr. Byfield emphasized that while vaccine hesitancy and pandemic fatigue remain contributing factors, access is a greater barrier in many communities.

ACN notes that access, rather than hesitancy, is the primary barrier to vaccination in many remote communities.