There needs to be more nurses on the front lines of health care on Prince Edward Island, says the president of the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA).
Judy Shamian and the CNA were in Charlottetown on Tuesday, part of a cross-country tour to engage nurses, other health-care providers, government decision-makers and the media.
The big issue is the state of health care in the country and the CNA has some ideas on how to address major concerns such as doctor shortages.
“Absolutely,’’ Shamian said in an interview with The Guardian. “There are two ways to solve it. The first one is to accelerate the implementation of nurse practitioners.’’
She said nurses can cover the same workload the physicians do - managing anywhere from 600 to 1,200 patients each - and handle the care of those their clients.
The CNA president said nurses would still collaborate with doctors when the need is there but nurses are more than capable of managing their own workload.
The association is also big on teamwork, especially when it comes to people who suffer from chronic diseases.
“Every 67 cents of every dollar that is spent on health care goes to manage chronic illness,’’ Shamian said. “If we have teams then, for example, a diabetic patient doesn’t need to see the physician all the time. They can see the dietician, they can see a registered nurse, they can see the nurse practitioner, they can see the social worker.’’
The intent is to minimize the impact on and the use of physicians.
The one message Shamian says she’s hearing right across the country is the need for a stronger primary health-care system - giving everyone access to that primary care.
“And we are hearing that it’s an issue on the Island, too. We hear that some of the emergency rooms and urgent care (facilities) are shutting down because there are no physicians. Well, nurse practitioners are regulated and can work in any province and territory and (they) are terrific solutions.’’
Shamian also seemed impressed with the new building currently under construction at UPEI, which will house the School of Nursing and Applied Human Sciences. It’s scheduled to open early in 2012.
Donna Murnaghan, acting dean of nursing, said the new building will play a significant role in Island health care.
“This new facility will be an important platform where UPEI students, faculty and researchers will be able to contribute to health care and wellness on the Island and beyond,’’ Murnaghan said.
Gove nurses more responsibility and they may want more money.