Grampians Health appoints first Multiple Sclerosis Nurse Practitioner in regional Victoria
People living with multiple sclerosis (MS) across western Victoria now have greater access to specialist care closer to home, following the appointment of Michelle Allan as Grampians Health's MS Nurse Practitioner, the first role of its kind in regional Victoria.
Ms Allan, who joined Grampians Health earlier this year, brings more than 25 years of experience in MS care and is currently the only MS Nurse Practitioner working in Victoria.
The role expands specialist care capacity within Grampians Health's MS service, improving access to timely treatment, reducing wait times and helping patients avoid unnecessary hospital presentations.
An MS Nurse Practitioner combines advanced nursing expertise with skills traditionally performed by medical specialists, including conducting consultations, prescribing medications and monitoring treatments.
Ms Allan said the role was designed to complement existing specialist services and improve access to care for people living with MS.
"MS is a lifelong condition that requires ongoing monitoring and support. For people who are doing well, we might see them every six to 12 months, but when someone is experiencing a flare-up or having difficulty with their treatment, they need timely access to specialist care," Ms Allan said.
"Having a Nurse Practitioner role means we can see patients sooner, monitor them more closely and respond quickly when issues arise. In many cases, this can help prevent hospital presentations and provide reassurance for patients and their families."
Grampians Health's MS service cares for patients from across the region. Since the introduction of the Nurse Practitioner role, the service has recorded around 62 per cent increase in patients seen compared with the same period last year, significantly improving access to specialist MS care. The appointment of Ms Allan has also helped in reviewing patients more quickly, reducing delays and ensuring people receive timely support when their condition changes.
Adding to the success of the role, Ms Allan recently received national recognition at the 2026 MS Nurses Australasia Annual Conference, winning both the Best Poster Award and the prestigious Louise Kurczycki Trophy for Overall Best Presentation - the highest presentation honour awarded by MS Nurses Australasia, recognising the best overall work presented at the annual conference.
Her award-winning presentation showcased the development and implementation of Grampians Health's MS Nurse Practitioner model and the positive impact it has had on access to care for people living with MS in regional Victoria.
Ms Allan said the recognition reflected the commitment of the entire MS team at Grampians Health.
"This award acknowledges the work that has gone into creating and establishing the role and demonstrating the difference it can make for people living with MS in regional communities," she said.
"It is also recognition of Grampians Health's commitment to innovative models of care that improve access to specialist services closer to home."
Patient feedback has also been overwhelmingly positive, with 98 per cent of surveyed patients reporting high satisfaction with the care they received.
Grampians Health Chief Operating Officer Ben Kelly said the position had strengthened the service's ability to meet growing demand for MS care across the Grampians region.
"Access to specialist neurology services can be challenging in regional areas, and demand for MS care continues to grow," Mr Kelly said.
"Michelle's appointment has enabled us to address the gaps in care and provide more responsive care closer to home. Importantly, it means people living with MS across our region can access the expertise they need without having to travel long distances or wait extended periods for appointments.
"Michelle's recognition at the MS Nurses Australasia Conference reinforces the value of this model of care and the positive outcomes it is delivering for patients across western Victoria."
Before joining Grampians Health, Ms Allan spent more than two decades working as an MS nurse at Monash Health before completing her Master of Nurse Practitioner qualification in 2019.
She said Grampians Health's commitment to developing the role demonstrated a forward-thinking approach to regional healthcare.
"There are only a handful of MS Nurse Practitioners across Australia, and I'm proud to be part of a service that recognises the value Nurse Practitioners can bring to patients and health services," Ms Allan said.
Looking ahead, Grampians Health plans to expand outreach services to improve access for people living in rural and remote communities. An outreach MS clinic is scheduled for Horsham, with plans to establish more regular regional clinics in the future.
Ms Allan also hopes to support the next generation of specialist nurses by mentoring Grampians Health MS nurses interested in pursuing Nurse Practitioner qualifications.
"Our goal is to continue building MS expertise across western Victoria so people can access high-quality care closer to where they live," she said.
