RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun (above) was at Queen’s Park on Nov. 15 to provide feedback on Bill 135, the government’s proposed changes to the Home Care Act. She was joined by RNAO senior policy analyst Christina Pullano. In its submission, RNAO praised the government for dissolving Local Health Integration Networks and a proposed assignment of care co-ordinators to organizations that provide home-care services for clients. RNAO raised concerns that the legislation doesn’t go far enough to address deeply rooted issues in the home-care sector, including outdated funding models and a shortage of nurses, RNs in particular. Grinspun urged the government to ensure full transparency by disclosing the funding formula for Ontario Health Teams, governance and public accountability to Ontarians. Learn more by reading RNAO’s submission.
RN prescribing
RNAO applauded a Nov. 6 government announcement granting prescribing powers to RNs. As the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) finalizes its proposed practice standard, RNAO provided advice detailed in a letter to the regulatory body. The advice calls on the CNO to clarify the reference to communicating a diagnosis and medication to members of the interprofessional team. The standard should also better address responsibilities of the workplace where RNs will be prescribing, and include point-of-care testing. RNAO also wants the CNO to ensure that RN prescribing becomes part of the curriculum in the BScN program by next year (2024).
The latter is of great importance given 5,000 BScN nurses graduate each year. Thus, RN prescribing can dramatically unlock barriers to care and advance faster access to care for all Ontarians. It also serves as a boost for the profession, reflecting the knowledge and skills of RNs and making it more attractive to people considering nursing as a career.
Climate emergency
As talks about the health effects of climate change took centre stage during a dedicated one-day session at COP28 – the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai – RNAO continued its efforts to ensure people understand the magnitude of inaction and the deadly toll the climate emergency has on populations around the world. According to the UN, an estimated seven million people die prematurely each year due to air pollution. RN Rob Samulack, chair of RNAO’s Ontario Nurses for the Environment Interest Group, represented RNAO at COP28. Here at home, RNAO is supporting local efforts to stop the expansion of gas-fired electricity plants. The campaign is called #NoMoreGasPlants and its aim is to persuade municipal governments across Ontario to reject fossil fuels and embrace cleaner sources of energy, such as wind and solar power. On this matter, RNAO participated in a virtual Town Hall on Nov. 27 with other health and environmental groups. The communities of Thorold and Kingston and Loyalist Township, and Halton Hills have rejected gas fired-electrical plants. For more info, check out our social post.
Queen’s Park on the Road
Queen’s Park on the Road (QPOR), one of RNAO’s key advocacy campaigns, is in full swing. Members have been meeting with their local members of provincial parliament (MPP) to raise awareness and push for change on the opioid overdose crisis, and to ensure career pathways in the profession are free of barriers to nursing practice and take advantage of the opportunities to optimize health for Ontarians. Twenty-six meetings have been set up so far, and more will continue through January. RNAO has developed a toolkit to help members connect with their MPP. If you are interested in setting up a meeting, contact Ann-Marie Morris at amorris@RNAO.ca. Check out the QPOR photo gallery to see your colleagues in action.
Petition to retain nurses
RNAO members responded to our call that the government and employers embrace evidence-based recommendations to retain nurses in Ontario. Thanks goes to those who signed the petition tabled by NDP MPP Catherine Fife of Waterloo.