The Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) has extended the successful Nursing and Allied Health Rural Locum Scheme (NAHRLS), allowing rurally-placed nurses two weeks annual leave without diminishing local services. 

NAHRLS was established to allow nurses, midwives and allied health professionals in remote facilities to take up to 14 days leave. It has lead to a threefold increase in placements, with 1213 completed nursing and midwifery placements and 103 completed allied health placements up to June this year.

Mark Ellis, NAHRLS general manager, says the program allows medical professionals to leave their post confident in the knowledge that patients will not suffer due to their absence.

“The value to the health centre lies in a proven model that allows the facility to continue providing an appropriate level of service without having to compromise on service delivery due to having to absorb third party costs such as transport, accommodation or agency fees and charges,” Ellis said.

The managing director of the company that administers the program says: “We are delighted that the Australian Government has extended the NAHRLS program. This shows that the program works and that the Aspen Medical team has delivered yet another results-driven solution to a healthcare challenge.”

More information is available at the official website.