Mrs Haley Hodgson1
1Avenüplus, Maclean, Australia
Biography:
Haley Hodgson is a Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner Candidate, and healthcare executive based in rural New South Wales. She is the founder and Director of multiple integrated health services, including a nurse-led access clinic model designed to address primary care gaps in rural and remote communities. With postgraduate qualifications in advanced practice nursing and diabetes education, Haley is committed to enabling nurses to work at the top of their scope through strong clinical governance, leadership, and workforce development. Her work focuses on sustainable, community-embedded models of care that improve access, reduce system pressure, and strengthen the future rural health workforce.
Abstract:
Introduction / Purpose
Rural and remote communities across Australia continue to experience reduced access to primary health care due to workforce shortages, service fragmentation, and increasing demand on emergency departments. Traditional models of care are no longer sufficient to meet population needs. This presentation outlines a nurse-led access clinic model designed to improve access, strengthen workforce sustainability, and deliver safe, high-quality care in rural settings through strong clinical leadership.
Main Body
Using a rural New South Wales case example, this session explores the design, implementation, and early outcomes of a nurse-led model underpinned by advanced practice nursing and nurse practitioner leadership. The model integrates episodic care, chronic disease management, women’s health, preventative health, and outreach services, supported by robust clinical governance and escalation pathways. Workforce strategies include role clarity, scope-enabled practice, embedded mentorship, and ongoing professional development to support retention and job satisfaction. Leadership and advocacy are central to the model, enabling service flexibility, community engagement, and alignment with local health needs. Early outcomes demonstrate improved access to timely care, reduced wait times, enhanced clinician role satisfaction, and a reduction in non-urgent emergency department presentations.
Conclusion / Key Take-Home Messages
Nurse-led models provide a scalable and sustainable solution to the challenges facing rural and remote health services. Strong clinical leadership, workforce investment, and advocacy for nurses to work at the top of their scope are critical to shaping the future of remote health and achieving meaningful, system-wide change.