A recent health workforce study conducted with the NT Department of Health, reveals astoundingly high levels of staff turnover in the primary health care clinics of 53 remote Northern Territory communities.
Resident nurses and Aboriginal Health Practitioners turn over at a rate of 128% per year. This results in problems of access, continuity of care and cultural safety for remote-living people, and may be affecting overall health outcomes.
Two of the authors of the recent publication, Dr Deborah Russell and Professor John Wakerman, Associate Dean, Flinders NT, discuss the significance of their findings and suggest some strategies for achieving much needed stability. Read more on Croakey.org