The strengthened partnership between the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Health in Canberra, Australia will enable professional development of nurses in Fiji.

A memorandum of agreement signed between the two agencies in September will enable the continuity of training opportunities for Fijian nurses.

The initial agreement was signed in 2014 which had enabled eight specialised nurses to undergo six months of training at the Australian Capital Territory- Department of Health in Australia.

Fiji Nursing Services Director Silina Waqa-Ledua said that the renewed agreement would enable more nurses to take advantage of the professional nursing training at the Australian Capital Territory.

“The agreement has started in September this year, so all parties will be on deck to ensure the facilitation of this agreement which will continue for the next two years.

Through this training, the nurses are able to enhance their self-confidence and competence in terms of improving their role in specialised areas of health services.

“We need the nurses to get specialised skills really because it’s in response to population health needs, as we continue to send some of the patients overseas for treatment, when in fact we have the potential to develop these services locally.

“The nurses are able to professionally develop themselves into specialised areas which includes, Intensive Care Unit, Theatre nursing, Coronary Care and Accident and Emergency Unit are the key areas of development in specialised nursing.

“Since this partnership began in 2014, we have sent two cohorts of trainees already, so altogether eight nurses have been trained and they have returned to carry out their roles with efficiency.

“When the feedback came from ACT, they actually commended the Fiji nurses for their commitment and competence.

“These nurses were selected based on their quality care excellence in specialised areas like ICU, cardiac unit and Theatre nursing.

“They were selected from CWM and Lautoka Hospital so for next year, we are also looking at selecting nurses from northern division,” Mrs Waqa-Ledua said.

The training from ACT has resulted into improved health care services provided by the specialised nurses at the two major hospitals.

“We have heard success stories from the two major managers who look after these hospitals.

“The impact of the training is seen in the terms of improved patient care competence, clinical expertise and providing on job training for other nurses who have not had the opportunity to go.

“We want to train people who have spent at least three to five years in the specialised areas, so these nurses come back as coaches and mentors in specialised nursing, which is a plus for us.

“There is a selection criteria and the main ones are competency, professionalism, attitude and leadership skills.

“One can be very competent, but they also need the right attitude to commit to their role. We are truly grateful to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Health for this great training initiative and incentive for our nurses in Fiji.

“This training opportunity boosts the competence and capabilities of our nurses in specialised nursing which includes, Cardiac, Theatre, Intensive Care Unit, Accident and Emergency Unit.

“We are trying to negotiate to increase the number of trainees from eight to 10 at least.

“It’s a paid attachment and those nurses who attend these trainings continue to receive their salary.

“The next selection list is in progress, the trainees will also be advised well in time, to prepare and to ensure that their family welfare is also maintained while they will be away for the training,” Mrs Waqa- Ledua said.