RNAO’s ongoing media profile: Your July 2024 report

In July, RNAO’s CEO was featured in media stories related to the association’s inaugural Indigenous-Focused Symposium and new data that shows Ontario has a shortage of RNs compared to the rest of Canada. RNAO was also mentioned in stories related to its annual Recognition Awards and its Best Practice Spotlight Organizations® (BPSO®) designation ceremony.

From July 9 – 11, RNAO held its first Indigenous-Focused Symposium in Thunder Bay. Representatives from Indigenous-led BPSOs highlighted how they’re implementing RNAO’s best practice guidelines. For more information, read the official recap. In a media advisory (July 4), RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun said “by bringing together Indigenous-focused and other health providers serving Northern Ontario, we’re celebrating our collective commitment to enhancing evidence-informed and culturally appropriate practice changes and their impact on quality outcomes for persons, providers, organizations, communities and health systems.” Grinspun told TBT News (July 9) that it’s important “the (BPSO) program responds to the needs of Indigenous communities and that it’s not imposing different ways of knowing that don’t fit the communities.” She told CBC Radio's Superior Morning (July 9) the event was “a unique opportunity to learn the approaches that Indigenous communities use and their traditions that will be weaved together with the approaches (RNAO) uses.”

A report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) reveals worsening nursing workforce trends in Ontario. The province now needs 26,000 additional. The gap between Ontario’s ratio and the rest of Canada has widened three per cent since 2022. In a media release (July 25), Grinspun said that “it is crucial that the government focus on both retention and recruitment simultaneously.” RNAO President NP Lhamo Dolkar told 570 News (July 29) that “this has been an ongoing issue. We have to focus on harmonizing the wage upwards across all sectors.”

RNAO’s annual Recognition Awards were presented to recipients at the 99th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in late June. Two of this year’s winners,  Nadia Prendergast (Leadership in Health Equity Award recipient) and Susan Ferri (Leadership in Nursing Education Award recipient), were featured in a YorkRegion.com story (July 7). Also at the AGM, several organizations were designated as BPSOs. Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital was among them and their president and CEO shared with Seaway News (July 12) that they were honoured to receive this recognition and “underscores (their) commitment to delivering the highest quality of care to (their) patients.”

RNAO will continue to speak out alongside its members on topics related to nursing and health. Stay up-to-date on media coverage by visiting RNAO in the news. If you’re interested in speaking with reporters on issues related to nursing, health and health care, complete a short survey.