Hastings Health Centre's first nurse practitioner will specialise in care of younger patients

Catrina Riley, will be specialising in children and youth services.

Hastings Health Centre has appointed its first nurse practitioner, Catrina Riley, who will be specialising in children and youth services.

HHC chief executive Andrew Lesperance said for many patients it will be the first time they have been to a nurse practitioner, where in the past they would have seen a doctor.

"Our new nurse practitioner has advanced education and specialised clinical training in children and youth under 24 years of age. She provides a broader range of health services; adds diversity to our health team and will further assist with meeting the changing needs of our younger patients.

"Catrina is working alongside our family doctor and nursing team, as well as within our ever growing urgent uare service."

As a nurse practitioner Ms Riley is able to prescribe medications and works closely with other members of the health team such as hospital specialists. Her focus is on babies, children, teenagers and young adults.

Ms Riley first trained as a nurse, before undertaking several more years of university study and additional clinical training.

"Becoming a nurse practitioner was an opportunity to extend my career into an area where I can provide patients with more holistic primary health care services," she said.

Mr Lesperance said he expected the demand for nurse practitioners would increase as the shortage of doctors continued in New Zealand.

"With more than 200 nurse practitioners now registered, this career pathway in nursing is growing within our primary health care sector. Nurse practitioners are helping to keep more patients away from the hospital front door, especially those with chronic and long-term conditions."