Spring-Summer 2024

Following an announcement from Ontario’s Minister of Health that the province will close 10 supervised consumption services (SCS) sites across the province, RNAO CEO Dr.

RNAO and members of the Rainbow Nursing Interest Group (RNIG) marched in Toronto’s Pride Parade alongside tens of thousands of other attendees to celebrate 2SLGBTQI+ communities (Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, and other sexual and gender minorities).

A report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) reveals worsening nursing workforce trends in Ontario. The province now needs 26,000 additional RNs to catch up to the RN-to-population ratio in the rest of Canada.

A community forum held in Brockville on July 25 brought together organizations working to support people struggling with mental illness, substance use and issues such as homelessness. The forum, which included a number of booths, was organized by Rideau Community Health Services, in partnership with the Brockville Police Service.

The Peterborough 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic has seen a major reduction in overdose deaths since introducing its safer-supply program in 2022. A June 2024 report published by the clinic revealed a 79 per cent decrease over the previous six months compared to the first six months of the program.

RN and MPP Natalia Kusendova-Bashta became Ontario’s Minister of Long-Term Care after a cabinet shuffle announced on June 6.

An innovative program in Sudbury is connecting older adults with children through intergenerational storytelling. Public Health Sudbury and Districts partnered with The Older Adult Centre to host GrandPals, an idea developed in Canada, at the local public library. The aim is to tackle the issue of isolation.

A Brampton hospital is making strides to integrate more internationally educated nurses (IEN) into its workforce.

A pediatric vaccination clinic at Children’s Hospital, part of London Health Sciences Centre, is addressing the stress and anxiety children can often feel when getting needles. The clinic was initially launched as a pilot project during the pandemic (2021).

Niagara Health’s Wound Care team is helping to provide care for patients who may be dealing with serious issues, such as sepsis. RN Abi Osisanwo is one of five nurses trained to identify wounds early and provide appropriate treatment.