S.TRUEMAN PhD THESIS 2016

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assisting remote nurses to deliver mental healthcare, particularly for Indigenous mental health patients. In a mental health crisis presentation or managing a suicidal mental health patient (particularly after hours) being able to locate family members or ‘tap into local knowledge’ is vital. Hence, remote nurses rely on ATSIHWs for such critical assistance. As one very experienced participant remote nurse said: Because they [ATSIHWs] live in their community, they know their whole family, they grew up with their … their relations; their extended family. So they know … when somebody is unwell. [T26, p. 5] The health workers in the local communities are your [health professionals’] eyes and ears. [T26, p. 6] Aboriginal health workers … absolutely vital. [T13, p. 15] ATSIHWs within the healthcare arena are situated close to the word ‘tensions’, as their role varies enormously, usually as a result of the attitude and power of other clinicians, especially remote nurses. Some ATSIHWs feel marginalised and not appreciated for their knowledge, as they are not remote nurses undertaking nursing duties. These feelings can sometimes lead to tensions between the two groups. Obviously, when this occurs, it hinders remote nurses in delivering mental healthcare: Q. Are there occasions where you’ve seen the nurses kind of marginalise the Aboriginal health workers? A. Yeah, yes … yeah, I’ve seen that happen. [T26, p. 7] 7.2.8 Nurse practitioners The last group in the health actors’ arena is that of nurse practitioners. These practitioners clearly qualify for inclusion in this arena due to their advanced (mental