RNAO’s ongoing media profile: Your November 2024 report
Throughout November, RNAO’s president and CEO were featured in media stories related to a new nursing baccalaureate program in Ottawa, legislation to close supervised consumption services (SCS) sites, a fraud investigation at a London hospital, expanded scope of practice for NPs and RNs, and staffing challenges in long-term care (LTC) homes.
On Nov. 5, the provincial government announced a new Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program at Carleton University in Ottawa. It is the first new university-based nursing program in the province in 20 years. This program is also the first in the world to integrate RN prescribing into its curriculum. In a media release (Nov. 6), RNAO President NP Lhamo Dolkar said that “This is a significant day for our profession... Expanding the number of nursing seats in the province helps address demand across all health sectors and is key to alleviating the nursing shortage.”
The government introduced legislation on Nov. 18 to close SCS sites across Ontario and block municipalities from addressing the toxic drug crisis. In its media release (Nov. 18), Dolkar called it “a sweeping attack on harm reduction,” and added “We will witness more preventable deaths because the government is sending a clear message: people who use substances are disposable.” CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun echoed RNAO’s alarm in The Globe and Mail (Nov. 18), saying “The Ontario government will be responsible for the excess deaths.” She also told Sudbury.com (Nov. 21) that the government’s new Homeless and Addiction Recovery Treatment hubs should “offer comprehensive, wrap-around care” and that the exclusion of this in the government’s plan “contradicts the stated aim of keeping communities safe.”
Dolkar and Grinspun authored an op-ed for the Toronto Star (Nov. 21) on how NPs can help solve the primary care crisis. They congratulated Dr. Jane Philpott on her new role as head of the Ontario government’s primary care action team and stated the importance of utilizing more NPs in primary care. Philpott responded to the op-ed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that NPs will help attach all Ontarians to a primary care clinician. “Indeed, family physicians are an essential part of solving the primary care crisis. But they cannot do it alone,” Dolkar and Grinspun wrote in the op-ed. “Nurse practitioners are also crucial to meet both current and future care demands.”
London police launched a fraud investigation into London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). RNAO spoke out about issues related to the hospital’s staffing in the September 2024 media report after the province appointed a supervisor to oversee LHSC. RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun told the London Free Press (Oct. 31) that the lack of oversight is a major issue, “It is inexcusable and unforgivable. Where is the governance of the hospital? What was the board of directors or colleagues doing? It is outrageous.”
RNAO also commented when news broke of a woman who was arrested and charged for falsifying documents to work as a nurse for four years at long-term care homes in Simcoe County. “People need to be accountable for how this happened. We need to be even more attentive and do all the checks and balances,” Grinspun said (CTV News Barrie, Nov. 5).
The Ontario government announced on Nov. 28 that it would be expanding the scope of practice for NPs and RNs starting July 1, 2025. NPs will be able to apply a defibrillator or pacemakers as well as perform electrocoagulation. They will also be able to certify a death in more circumstances. RNs will be allowed to certify a death when the death is expected. In a media release (Nov. 28), Dolkar said that “RNs and NPs have the expertise to deliver this additional care, and we’re delighted Minister of Health Sylvia Jones heard RNAO’s calls to build the profession through these important changes.” In CP24’s story (Nov. 28), Grinspun said “the changes announced…to expand the scope of practice for NPs and RNs will ease system challenges that people in Ontario are facing accessing timely care.” On AM800 (Nov. 29), Dolkar said RNs and NPs “…are the key players in health system transformation that is based on improving access to care and addressing the system gaps. I think the scope changes allows easier access and reduce backlog.”
On Nov. 19, Grinspun spoke on Zoomer Radio’s Fight Back with Libby Znaimer (begins at 40:34 mark) about staffing and retention challenges in some Toronto-based LTC homes. She says “the situation across the health system and in nursing homes and home care in particular is dismal in terms of staffing and it’s all related to competitive compensation, benefits and support in the workplace. I wish I was surprised, (but) I am not.” Grinspun reiterated RNAO’s call to the government to equalize upwards compensation for all nurses.
RNAO continues 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.
