Health Minister Theresa Oswald introduced legislation which would expand the role of nurse practitioners and midwives in the delivery of health care to Manitobans by allowing them to admit patients to hospitals.
“Nurse practitioners and midwives already play a key role in our health-care system by providing a wide range of services that enhance quality of care and improve patient outcomes,” said Oswald. “This legislative change will take advantage of their high level of training and skills and further streamline the admissions process, helping to save time for patients and their families while also making the health care system more efficient.”
Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with a master’s level education and clinical experience that allows them to diagnose illnesses, treat conditions, prescribe medications and order diagnostic tests. More than 100 nurse practitioners work in various health-care facilities across the province including hospitals, QuickCare Clinics, primary care clinics and personal care homes.
“The Nurse Practitioner Association of Manitoba strongly supports this legislation, which will allow nurse practitioners to work to their full scope of practice,” said Sandra Christie, president of the association. “We’re extremely pleased to have an increased role in helping Manitobans access the health-care services they need.”
Midwives are primary care providers who can order tests, prescribe medications for maternal/newborn care, diagnose and treat minor problems, and attend births as the primary attendant. In Manitoba, midwives care for women and newborns in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, community health centres, patients’ homes and at the Birth Centre in Winnipeg.
“Giving birth is one of the main reasons women are hospitalized,” said Gerilyn Reimer, president of the Manitoba Association of Midwives. “The authority to admit patients will promote excellent outcomes for women and their families in Manitoba and ensure health-care resources are used efficiently.”
Currently, only doctors and, in some cases dentists, can admit patients to hospitals in Manitoba.
“Authorizing nurse practitioners and midwives to admit patients to hospitals will help to maximize their contribution to the health-care system,” said Oswald. “These ongoing improvements to the way health care is delivered ensure Manitobans have access to the front-line services they need, when and where they need them.”
More information on primary care in Manitoba is available at www.gov.mb.ca/health/primarycare.
