Rottnest Island Nursing Post

Nursing Post Staffing and Services

Rottnest Island Nursing Post (RINP) is staffed by three permanent registered nurses who reside on the island, and a part-time administrative assistant. The RINP provides accident and emergency and primary health care services to local residents as well as visitors to the island. The Nursing Post also provides additional support services such as x- ray examination, pharmaceutical supplies and pathology collection.  The RINP is open throughout the year.

• Staffed by the Clinical Nurse Manager and 2 Clinical Nurses. Total nursing FTE is 3.60
• Summer Medical officer – November to April – full time service – MO available after hours for emergencies. Routine consultations by appointment.
• Winter Medical Cover  – May to October - generally available for the winter school holiday periods.
• Tertiary centres (Fremantle, RPH, PMH) utilised for advice and ongoing care if required
• Nurses responsible for patient retrieval – by ambulance, initial assessment and liaison with FHED for ongoing care if required (if no MO available on-site)
• No public transport on island after hours – therefore often necessary for nurses to retrieve patients from units at night.
• Support for nurses offered via Rangers, Police and FESA if required.
• Evacuations off island – can be on the ferry if appropriate and available and or via RFDS or Emergency Helicopter
• RINP is equipped to a high standard and can offer care from basic first aid to Advanced Life Support – all nurses are ALS competent.
• RINP provides support to Island activities – specifically Leavers, New Year, Channel Swim etc.
• There is a local pharmacy which can dispense prescriptions and provide basic first aid items.

 Other Information

Island Facts and Figures

• More than 500,000 people visit Rottnest Island each year.
• The Island is 11 kilometres long, 4.5 kilometres at its widest point, and the land area measures 1,900 hectares.
• It is a 24km ride around the island.
• The Island is an 'A' Class reserve managed by the Rottnest Island Authority.