Australia's first Chief Nursing Officer will give nurses a political voice

The appointment of Australia's first national Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer has been met with the approval of the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF).

The ANF says Rosemary Bryant, the head of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, has held many national and international leadership roles and is an excellent person to represent nurses in commonwealth health policy.

The Health Department says the appointment of a chief nurse recognises the major role played by nurses in Australia's healthcare system and Ms Bryant's advice will contribute to policies in the areas of nursing education, training and workforce and primary, acute and aged care.

The ANF says says the appointment of a chief nurse recognises the major role played by nursing in Australia's healthcare system.

Health Minister Nicola Roxon says Rosemary Bryant's appointment as chief nurse will give nurses a proper voice in terms of policy direction and one of her first tasks will be to lead a review of maternity services.

The appointment will also give nurses a strong voice within the commonwealth government on nursing workforce issues and also on more general issues facing the health system in which nurses play such a vital part according to Ms Roxon.

Ms Roxon says as the government's most senior adviser on nursing workforce issues, Rosemary Bryant will help shape policies which will strengthen the nursing profession as a career of choice.

Ms Bryant was previously the director of nursing policy with the Victorian government and the director of nursing at Royal Adelaide Hospital.