Normally, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, but Member for Orange Phil Donato says taking care of nurses throughout the coronavirus pandemic is a no-brainer.
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Mr Donato, also the deputy leader of the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party, has called on the Government to waive the $175 annual registration fees for our nurses and other essential registered healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Our nurses and other healthcare professionals are working around the clock while under constant threat of the deadly coronavirus," Mr Donato said.
"We value and appreciate what our nurses do to care for the sick and injured, even in ordinary times. But we now find ourselves in extraordinary times."
He applauded nurses' dedication to their profession and to immense number of patients under their care in this time, but said that same level of care and consideration must be returned.
"In these extraordinary times our nurses continue to front for work in spite of the risks they now face with the potential for infection of COVID-19," he added.
"In light of the increased risks our registered nurses and healthcare professionals now face, and as a gesture of our sincere appreciation for what they do, their annual registration fees should be immediately waived."
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) works with 15 National Boards to help protect the public by regulating registered health practitioners across Australia.
The registration of Nurses and Midwives is managed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), through which an annual $175.00 registration fee is paid by nurses and midwives.
"We have all stood and clapped to applaud nurses and health care professionals for their brave and tireless work in caring for the COVID-19 patients and other sick or injured patients, so now let's give them a well-earned waive on their annual registration fees, too." Mr Donato said.
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