The Nova Scotia Nurses Union says it can help improve access to primary health care.
It delivered a comprehensive report containing over a dozen recommendations after a year of consultations with hundreds of nurses, patients and the health authority.
President Janet Hazelton says some solutions would be easy, like access to VON nurses without all the current assessments that are now required.
“We think that’s a bit cumbersome. It would be way more efficient if a resident of Nova Scotia could just call up and book an appointment with VON.”
She says they took a look at patients that come to the emergency department with minor conditions and are there because they don’t have a family doctor and that’s where nurse practitioners would come in.
“Who could order an x-ray, diagnose, order an antibiotic, if appropriate, and discharge the patient home. That would make our emergency rooms a lot more efficient.”
Health Minister Randy Delorey issued a statement last night saying he and his staff will work with the NSNU and other stakeholders to see if any of the recommendation can be done.
Here’s a link to the NSNU report: http://www.nsnu.ca/en/home/advocacy/NursingPotential.aspx
(NSNU photo)
Story by Gary Nickerson
nickerson.gary@radioabl.ca
