Free course equips nurses in oral and IV treatments for iron deficiency.

Iron deficiency is a common condition in primary care affecting 12% of the population and around 40% of women under the age of 50. However, it is sometimes difficult to detect in patients clinically, and treatment can be a time-consuming process for GPs.

To help practices be able to offer iron deficient patients treatment with infusions, Dr Pradeep Jayasuriya of the WA Iron Centre recently launched an upskiller course for nurses. This course enables GPs to delegate treatment to nurses, similar to the approach GPs adopt for immunisations and wound dressing.

“An iron [infusion] lends itself to a primary care approach,” Dr Jayasuriya says. Iron deficiency is common and the majority of patients are younger women who are otherwise healthy.

“Nurses often have more time to spend with patients than GPs,” this is more relevant because an iron infusion takes some time.

The 4.5 hour CPD course educates nurses on the latest in diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiencies, including how to set up and administer intravenous treatments.