SUDBURY - Ontario's registered nurses have joined the call by health care providers across the province pushing the government to step up with more funding to alleviate the shortage of primary care health providers.
The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) was speaking at a Queen's Park budget-estimate meeting in Toronto and said Ontario is facing a critical shortage of physicians, of nurse practitioners (NPs) and registered nurses in every health sector in e very region of the province.
RNAO President and NP Lhamo Dolkar said more than 2.5 million Ontario residents do not have a primary health care provider and that means it will impact the long term health outcomes of those people.
"RNAO calls on the province to fund eight additional NP-led clinics in the upcoming budget with a goal to double the number of clinics from 27 now to 54 by 2030. RNAO also calls on the province to set aside $15 million to develop a funding model so NPs can work in independent practice without user fees," said Dolkar.
"This is critical given the directive earlier this month by federal Health Minister Mark Holland that NP services be considered 'medically necessary.’ It will increase access to NP services and prevent extra billing – a practice that runs counter to the principles of universal primary care and that we've witnessed far too often, given the lack of government funding," she added.
"Universal primary care means primary care for everyone, this is why we urge the government to fulfill its commitment of funding at least one NP in every First Nations community and move speedily for NP positions in correctional facilities," Dolkar continued.
Also speaking out was RNAO CEO Doris Grinspun, who said part of the problem could be resolved by immediate funding for nurse practitioners in long-term care homes.
"Efforts to ensure high quality care for residents in long-term care homes can be met by funding 100 additional attending NPs during this budget year and targeting 2030 as the year that government will meet its commitment that all homes will have one NP for every 120 residents," said Grinspun.
She said the numbers have shown worthwhile results.
"Improved resident experience, improved clinical outcomes, lower cost due to less complications, and increased staff retention as we have seen with the homes that already have attending NPs," said Grinspun.
She added that Ontario should immediately provide funding for an additional 200 seats in student NP programs in this upcoming budget with a target of reaching 7,500 NP registrants by 2030.
Grinspun also called for funding an additional 1,000 RN seats in baccalaureate programs this year with the goal of reaching 10,000 registrants by 2030.