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Nurse Policy Branch

Director: Ms Ms Belinda Moyes

email: belinda.moyes@dhs.vic.gov.au
Tel (03) 9096 8971
Fax (03) 9096 9213

Role and Function

The Nurse Policy Branch seeks to ensure that the Victorian health care system and required services are supported by an educated, experienced and skilled nurse workforce of an adequate size and distribution to meet the needs of the public. The Nurse Policy Branch provides high-level policy advice to Government and develops and implements policy relating to nursing.

The Branch offers a focal point for communication and professional leadership in relation to contemporary nursing practice and supports innovation and best practice. Nurse Policy Branch staff work with various stakeholders to ensure that there is adequate data to inform evidence-based policy in relation to a viable nursing workforce that is responsive to individual and population health care needs.

The framework for policy development by the Nurse Policy Branch is comprised of four key areas of endeavour:

• building data and gathering information to inform and facilitate planning;
• building workforce capacity to promote efficiency and meet demand;
• focusing on retention to maximise workforce capability
• and continuing emphasis on recruitment to ensure an adequate and appropriate nursing workforce.

Key areas of activity include: recruitment and retention; promoting safe, supportive and flexible working environments; optimising and promoting effective utilisation of nursing skills, including nurse practitioner and expansion of division 2 nurses practice; and supporting training and education to promote role development.

Contact Information

Nurse Policy Branch,
Department of Human Services,
50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 3000
Tel (03) 9096 7528
nursepolicy@dhs.vic.gov.au