ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — While there’s no need right now, the College of Registered Nurses and College of Physicians and Surgeons are looking to grant emergency licences, should assistance be needed in the fight against COVID-19 in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Last week, the House of Assembly passed legislation to allow retired physicians and nurses to return to service if the current complement working in the health-care system need support with COVID-19 cases.
Health Minister John Haggie said on Monday there is no need for retired health-care workers to come back at this time, but the option is there.
👉 Please share. The College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland & Labrador is encouraging retired and non-practicing...
Posted by Registered Nurses' Union Newfoundland & Labrador on Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Lynn Power, executive director of the College of Registered Nurses, says the college started talks with the government in February to be proactive in case the need arises.
“Now we’re starting the outreach to see if there is a pool of retired nurses out there who would be interested to come back as needed,” she said.
“It’s a fluid process. I hope to God we don’t need to flip the switch.”
Power estimates there are about 1,400 retired nurses in the college’s registry, but she expects a large number of those may have moved on to other provinces or would be unable to return to service.
While the college of physicians is able to fast track retired physicians who left practice three years ago, the window for easy return for nurses is five years.
Power says nurses are already contacting the college, offering their support.
“There are people out there waiting to come in and they recognize what they can contribute." — Lynn Power
“I think the nurses coming forward have been amazing. Even before we went live, we’ve had 30 nurses reaching out to us expressing interest. They’re willing to come forward, as needed,” said Power.
“There are people out there waiting to come in and they recognize what they can contribute. I think it’s a reflection of the whole appreciation for everybody who’s working now.”
Dr. Linda Inkpen, registrar with the College of Physicians and Surgeons, says the process for getting physicians has been streamlined to get them back in service as soon as the need arises.
“The requests that the college has had, to look at these requests for emergency licences, have probably been half a dozen. Now, what will happen tomorrow or the next day or next week, we don’t know,” she said.
“We’re taking it day by day just like everybody else.”
Inkpen says all fees associated with getting an emergency licence have been waived as an extra measure to streamline the process.
Anyone looking to return to service once the need arises should contact their respective college for guidance.
To date, 152 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Newfoundland in Labrador. As of Tuesday, nine people were in hospital throughout the province, two in intensive care.
Twitter: @DavidMaherNL
