Health Promotion

Funding for disease prevention and health promotion nationally is highly dependent on government funding through Medicare (Australian Government, 2014). This is largely out of our control. We, as nurses, can still do our part to promote public health in every ward, department or other setting we work in. Chronic diseases are associated with economic, social and health burdens. They cause premature deaths due to diseases which have risk factors that are highly preventable. They are affected by social determinants of health (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIWH), 2014), factors that Medicare need to take in to consideration when allocating funding in the annual budget (Fry, 2010). Chronic diseases are mostly managed through a community-based

The National Competency Standards for the Registered Nurse describes patient education as a primary nursing responsibility (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC), 2006). Health education encourages less dependence on the health care system by promoting a change in an individual’s health behaviours ultimately leading to self-care and self-empowerment (Newsom et al., 2012). Investment in prevention should not only be directed at consumers but also at healthcare staff. Constraints on nursing staff are drive up economic costs, affecting care and service delivery and compromising patient safety. Misplaced efforts to cut costs and achieve financial savings is seeing adverse events cost up to $4 billion annually, the occurrences of which can be reduced significantly by addressing and increasing awareness of known causes through education and increased staffing (Armstrong,

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care argue that effective clinical governance includes transparency about responsibility and maintenance of high standards of care with a constant emphasis on quality improvement (Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, 2015). A study in 2010 found seven key areas to support clinical governance which included education for both staff and patients (Phillips et al., 2010). Nurses are required to undergo continuous professional development to improve their clinical skills (Phillips, Piza, & Ingham, 2012). Today’s healthcare is multifaceted, specialised and technologically advanced. Education and training provided to staff need to reflect these norms so that they can provide specialised evidence-based care and educate consumers (Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care, 2005, 2012). This forms part of Standard 1: Governance for Safety and Quality in Health Service Organisations (Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care, 2012). The same should be done for the public in terms of being educated about their health, the systems and practices in place that can help them lead a healthier life as well as support from those higher up in the hierarchy - the Federal Government, that want to see the