Nursing body responds to NASOG MS-2 Step Pill comments

The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) has responded to recent comments by National Association of Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (NASOG) President Dr Gino Pecoraro on amendments to the prescribing of the MS-2 Step Pill, reported in The Australian.

ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN said that the comments by Pecoraro claiming women would be at risk if nurse practitioners prescribed the abortion pill were insulting, patronising and out of touch with reality.

Ward welcomed the government’s changes to the prescribing of MS-2 Step Pill, which she said acknowledged the skills, professionalism and availability of nurse practitioners to care for women through all stages of their treatment.

“The change increases choice and control for women’s reproductive health,” Ward said.

“Nurse practitioners are highly trained professionals who know their responsibilities in prescribing the abortion pill, provide ongoing care and management, and respond rapidly to any potential changes in wellbeing.”

Ward pointed out that Australia has a highly skilled nursing workforce with greater availability, quicker response times and ease of accessibility throughout Australia, adding that nurses were often the highest qualified health professional in many rural, regional and remote communities where women constantly have healthcare needs.

“The community holds nursing in high regard. Nurses are regarded as the most trusted and ethical profession. This is a hard-earned reputation based on safety, empathy, availability and an extremely high level of skills and experience,” Ward said.

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