Media Advisory: Maximizing and expanding the role of primary care nurses key to improving access to care and health system cost effectiveness, says RNAO

TORONTO, June 26, 2012 /CNW/ - A groundbreaking report calling for significant changes to the scope of practice for nurses who work in Ontario's primary care system will be unveiled this week by the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO).

The report, titled Primary Solutions for Primary Care: Maximizing and Expanding the Role of the Primary Care Nurse in Ontario, is being released by a Task Force led by RNAO with representatives from other key organizations that work in primary care. The report offers 20 recommendations to improve timely access to primary care for Ontarians and system effectiveness and efficiencies at a time when health-care dollars are scarce.

Ontario has 4,285 nurses (Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses), who work across the province in primary care settings such as Community Health Centres, Family Health Teams, Nurse-Practitioner Led Clinics, and physicians' offices. A recent survey revealed that only 61 per cent of RNs in family practice reported they were working to their full scope of practice, with many saying they are capable of doing much more to help their patients and the health system.

RNAO launched the Task Force in February because it believes the sustainability of Ontario's health system depends on the success of primary care reform.

Event details:

Who:	Rhonda Seidman-Carlson, President of RNAO
	Doris Grinspun, Chief Executive Officer, RNAO, and Task Force Co-Chair
	Judie Surridge, President, Ontario Family Practice Nurses and Task Force Co-Chair
What:	Media conference to announce recommendations for maximizing and expanding the role of nurses who work in primary care
Where:	Queen's Park Media Studio, Main Legislative Building, Queen's Park, Toronto
When:	Thursday June 28, 2012 at 11:30 a.m.

The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario is the professional association representing registered nurses in Ontario. Since 1925, RNAO has advocated for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses' contribution to shaping the health-care system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public they serve.

For more information about RNAO, including the Task Force report, visit our website at www.rnao.ca

Check out our Facebook page at www.rnao.org/facebook or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/rnao.

 

Marion Zych
Director of Communications
Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO)
647-406-5605 (cellular)
416-408-5605 (office)
[email protected]g