The warden of the Municipality of Shelburne says emergency department closures could be limited with a change to the Hospital Act.
Penny Smith says they identified a gap in the Act which permits a nurse practitioner to discharge patients from a hospital but does not allow them to admit patients.
She says there are frequent closures due to “physician unavailability”.
“Nurse practitioners continue to be underutilized in this province,” says Smith.
“There is no reason why NPs in Nova Scotia cannot serve the same function that they perform in other provinces and territories, which includes admitting and discharging patients.”
She says the municipality will seek support from other municipalities and engage the Nova Scotia Health Authority and province to implement the change in the Hospital Act.
Reported by: Nick Yorston
Twitter: @NickYorston
E-mail: yorston.nick@radioabl.ca
