Nurse practitioners will be further integrated into the health-care system with legislation introduced today that will expand their scope and opportunities.

"Our government recognizes the vital role nurse practitioners play in supporting the health of B.C. patients," said Health Minister Terry Lake. "We made significant steps toward removing the barriers facing nurse practitioners in the workplace with amendments in 2011, and today's legislation builds on this work and allows nurse practitioners to more fully and collaboratively contribute within the health system."

Nurse practitioner amendments allow nurse practitioners to officially sign off on a wide range of routine legal and administrative documents that verify they have examined or treated a patient. Previously, this paperwork needed to be signed by a physician who may have had no prior relationship with the patient.

An example of how the amendments will improve government services includes changes to the Workers Compensation Act. These amendments add nurse practitioners to the list of qualified practitioners able to complete WorkSafeBC documentation. Previously, WorkSafeBC required an injured worker's documentation to be signed by a physician, chiropractor, dentist, naturopathic physician or podiatrist.

The amendments also build on other previous announcements the provincial government has made for nurse practitioners, including the Nurse Practitioner for BC program, which was announced in May 2012. This is a $15.7-million program designed to fund 135 new nurse practitioners over three fiscal years. As a result of this program, currently 87 of the 135 new nurse practitioner positions are awarded. At this time, there are 278 fully and provisionally licensed nurse practitioners in the province.

Nurse practitioners were introduced in B.C. in 2005 to fulfil additional roles in areas like primary care, chronic disease, disease prevention and health promotion. They are registered nurses with additional education at the master's degree level, and have an expanded scope of practice over traditional nursing roles.

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contact:

Kristy Anderson
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)

BACKGROUNDER

Legislation builds on support for nurse practitioners

Nine acts are being amended:

• Coroners Act
• Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act
• Family Law Act
• Hospital Act
• School Act
• Vital Statistics Act
• Wildlife Act
• Workers Compensation Act
• Youth Justice Act

Nurse practitioners can do the following:

• Work in a broad variety of settings including acute care, residential care, mental health and community practice.
• Meet many community health-care needs, increasing access to quality primary and community health care.
• Offer preventative health education and planning that encourages people to be as healthy as possible and take an active role in health-care decisions.

Media Contact:

Kristy Anderson
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)