Sickle cell resolution

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) adopt and publicly affirm a position statement in support of Bill S-201, an act respecting a national framework on sickle cell disease, recognizing sickle cell disease as a significant health issue in Canada and affirming the need for coordinated national leadership to improve consistency, equity and quality of care for people living with SCD; and 

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that RNAO undertake sustained advocacy to advance a coordinated and equitable national approach to sickle cell disease care in Canada, including by: 

• advocating to local Members of Parliament to support the passage of Bill S-201 in the house of commons, to improve coordination, equity, and quality of care for people living with SCD;
• advocating to local Members of Parliament to support the passage of Bill S-201 in the House of Commons, to improve coordination, equity, and quality of care for people living with SCD; 
• advocating for the implementation of the Bill S-201 framework to reduce   preventable complications associated with SCD, improve patient and family experiences, and address health disparities affecting communities  disproportionately impacted by the disease.
• supporting and promoting evidence-informed education and clinical practice guidance on sickle cell disease for nurses across the continuum of care, consistent with RNAO’s role in professional practice leadership, and health system advocacy;
• advocating for enhanced and culturally responsive blood donation strategies to ensure a diverse and sustainable blood supply; and
• recognizing that individuals living with SCD require ethnically matched blood donors, in collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of Health and all relevant health-system partners.