I’m a nurse practitioner who owns and runs a general practice in South Canterbury along with fellow registered nurse, Chris Chamberlain.  We started out as employees of the last owner, GP, Anton van den Bergh. In deciding on buying the practice we wanted autonomy and the freedom to make changes to how and what services were offered by the practice. We had the support of the GP, the community, and the South Canterbury District Health Board. So now the tables are reversed – we own the practice and employ the doctor.

It was a fairly simple transition as we were already the main face of general practice in the community over the previous 18 mths. We ran it, and the GP came in once a week for a clinic, and was otherwise available by phone.

Buying the practice has allowed us to run a much more holistic model of care. We rent out rooms for counselling, other complementary therapy, physiotherapy and podiatry services.

 As a nurse practitioner I have prescribing rights and assess and treat the majority of patients and as needed I refer on to the GP or secondary services. I have weekly clinical meetings with the GP to discuss patients I want input on. In general, patients don’t expect to pay less for a consultation because I’m a nurse.

I see a real future for this model of practice, especially in rural areas. If a nurse has GP support, it can work well.

Pictured- Tania Kemp, right and colleague Chris Chamberlain.

Interview and picture first published in Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealand, March 2015