Philip Donato is calling for the government to waive annual registration fees for our nurses’ and healthcare professionals.

Deputy Leader of the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party and Member for Orange Philip Donato MP has called on the Government to waive 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,” said Phil.

“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. In these extraordinary times our nurses continue to front for work despite the risks they now face with the potential for infection of COVID-19.”

Phil applauded nurses’ dedication to their profession and to the unyielding number of patients for whom they care, adding “It should be of no surprise that because of their tremendous work ethic and mantra of putting their patients first and foremost that nurses are considered the most trusted profession in Australia.”

“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 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,” Phil said.

The lockdown and social distancing rules have changed the way we go about our day to day business, but for a demographic of women in our community, this time can induce more fear and uncertainty than most will experience. Pregnancy and childbirth in Forbes can be uncertain on an average day, with resources, staff and facilities stretched to accommodate women in Forbes and surrounding towns. It is not uncommon for women with high-risk pregnancies to be sent to Dubbo and Orange to give birth.

Now women face the additional challenges of giving birth during a pandemic. Birthing in lockdown has been met with both confusion and praise. Praise for the exceptional work that the midwives, staff and Obstetricians at Forbes Hospital do, and the care they provide to women during their most vulnerable time. There is also confusion surrounding the rules once women return home. While in hospital, the rules are clear, no visitors except for one support person. However, upon returning home, one Forbes mother of two found herself stuck.

Recovering from a Caesarean delivery with a one-year-old at home and a partner who works away for days at a time, Forbes woman Umima Austral found herself confused and concerned. Relying on family for care and assistance meant she needed visitors in her home, “Are they (the police) going to come and knock on my door be- cause there are four cars parked at my house?” she wondered.

Many have criticised both a lack of transparency and enforcement around lockdown rules and as it stands, seems to be a learning experience for both the public and law enforcement. In the coming weeks and months, we should see a rhythm take place and a sense of normality gained as the Forbes community adjusts to life in lockdown.