What is a nursing post?

A nursing post is a health centre staffed by highly-skilled registered nurses or nurse practitioners who have the training necessary to provide certain medical services, including emergency care.

Nursing posts are found in remote areas of Australia, particularly in Western Australia and Queensland.

While 'nursing post' is the term most commonly used in Western Australia, the same type of nurse-led facility may be called a 'nurse-led primary healthcare centre' (or 'health centre' or 'health service') in Queensland.

A nursing post might be the closest and best option if you need medical help or emergency care.

What do nursing posts offer?

Depending on your needs, the nurses at a nursing post can assess your medical problem, provide treatments, monitor your condition and manage your medicines. The services are free.

You can attend a nursing post for treatment of an injury or illness, or in an emergency. The services also cover the management of chronic conditions, such as diabetes. Some nursing posts also offer pathology testing and have the equipment needed to take x-rays.

Members of the nursing staff are authorised to prescribe specified medicines within the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), including for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.

In particular, in an emergency, the nursing staff will often communicate with medical experts elsewhere and provide the emergency care needed until the patient can be transported to hospital by ambulance or plane.

At some nursing posts, doctors from cities or the Royal Flying Doctor Service regularly attend special clinics.

When should I go to a nursing post?

As a first step, you should attend a nursing post if you need treatment for an injury or illness when you are very far from doctors or hospitals.

While most clinics' opening hours are limited to week days, some have staff on call for emergencies 24 hours a day.

You might also have regular appointments with a nursing post so they can monitor your condition and manage your medicines.

If you are in a remote area and uncertain where to get help, call triple zero (000) in an emergency.

To find health services near you, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria) for advice about where to go or use our Service Finder.