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Health Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews recently announced an initiative to add nurse practitioners (NP) to the staffing mix of nursing homes around the province, benefitting local seniors living in long-term care. The announcement was made last Thursday (Feb. 27) while Matthews addressed members of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) during its Day at Queen's Park event. Matthews said funding will be made available to place NPs in 75 long-term care homes over a three-year period beginning with 15 this year, 30 in 2015 and 30 more in 2016. "We're thrilled with the minister's announcement," RNAO president Rhonda Seidman-Carlson said in a news release. "Seniors in nursing homes deserve to live in a dignified and safe environment that fully meets their care needs. Now, we will be able to provide an added level of comprehensive, expert care that currently doesn't exist in our system." She notes having an NP on staff at long-term care homes will reduce the number of unnecessary transfers to hospital emergency rooms, which are both costly and inefficient, as 23 | Thursday, March 6, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com "Connected to your Community" Long-term care centres to get nurse practitioners well as reduce the emotional strain such transfers can have on elderly residents and their families. For Doris Grinspun, RNAO's CEO, she says the announcement represents the kind of system change the association has long been advocating for, citing the advanced education and experience of NPs to diagnose and treat common illnesses as well as their expanded scope of practice to order most lab tests and prescribe medications. "Many of the changes we want to see system-wide can be made if we look at the education and broad skill set of RNs (Registered Nurses) and NPs. There is no limit to the improvements we can make, and this announcement is another example of that," Grinspun said in the release. She adds she is particularly heartened by Matthews' announcement due to, "the demands of caring for a growing number of people with cognitive and behavioural challenges. This is the reality we are facing, and we can now take some comfort in knowing that NPs will be there to help and provide their expertise." The RNAO is the professional association representing registered nurses in Ontario. For more information, visit www.RNAO.ca. We Accept Insurance! $ MASSAGE (Reg. $80.) One Hour 49 * Pain Relief Specialists · stress · arthritis · back pain · muscle cramping · stroke · neck pain Day Day · Massage (RMT) · Acupuncture · Thermal Therapy · Chinese Herb Medicine Do You Suffer Any of these below SYMPTOMS? · sciatic neuralgia · headaches or migraines · muscle pain and weakness · infertility · menopausal symptoms · premenstrual or menstrual symptoms Call For a FREE CONSULTATION Tues-Sat 10am-6pm Sun 10am-4pm | Mon Closed Appointments Preferred * We reserve the right to change these terms & conditions at any time. Tel: (905) 698-0315 Fax: (905) 828-4752 Unit 53, 3065 Ridgeway Dr. Mississauga ON L5L 5M6 Isn't It About Time For A Hearing Test??? Come And Visit An Independent, Caring Family Hearing Aid Clinic All Services, Sales, Hearing Tests, Programming, Repairs, Batteries, Home Visits Jennifer Nolan Wendy Caswell Latest in technology, models and styles, blue tooth and accessories. Price ranges from $500.00 to elite levels. Over 25 y of know ears l e and exp dge erience. Lakeshore H E A R I N G Paramedical S E R V I C E S Established Since 1979 113 JONES STREET, OAKVILLE, ON · 905-827-2902