The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has launched a new position statement and discussion paper, calling for a transformative shift in how nursing services are delivered worldwide.  

This landmark statement, accompanied by a comprehensive discussion paper entitled Nursing and Primary Health Care – Towards the realisation of Universal Health Coverage, emphasises the urgent need for revolutionising nursing in response to increasing global healthcare demands. 

The ICN’s call to action highlights the critical role nurses play in healthcare systems and outlines the structural changes needed to support nurses in delivering high-quality care. With an aging population, rising chronic disease rates, and ongoing challenges such as pandemics and health inequities, the ICN stressed that the need for traditional models of nursing care to adapt.  

ICN President Dr Pamela Cipriano noted the importance that Primary Health Care plays in achieving quality universal healthcare across the globe. 

“In the the 2018 Astana Declaration, the nations of the world agreed that primary health care is the only way to achieve meaningful Universal Health Coverage. I know that governments are increasingly aware of the importance of a well-supported nursing and healthcare workforce [which] are essential for primary health care,” Dr Cipriano said. 

“Our primary health care position statement shows governments and health care organisations the changes and investments needed to empower nurses as the key to making real, substantial strides towards the goal of Universal Health Coverage through expansion of primary health care by 2030.  

“It is time to unleash the untapped potential of nurses so that they can lead this critical journey towards a better future for all,” she continued.  

The discussion paper provided a summary of the key positions statements and documents produced by the ICN and other nursing and international health organisations relating to the subjects of primary health and universal health coverage. It discussed the ideas of integrating new technologies, expanding the roles of nurses in primary care, and ensuring nurses’ roles in shaping health policies as being crucial to the achievement of universal health coverage. 

The statement and discussion paper were launched at the 13th ICN Nurse Practitioner/Advanced Practice Nursing Network Conference in Aberdeen, Scotland in early September. Feedback is currently being sought from member organisations, including the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation.