Regulatory amendments to facilitate nursing leadership and to address the barriers to RN(EC) scope of practice in long-term care facilities have been approved. Phase 1 amendments were passed by the Cabinet and have been filed with the Registrar of Regulations who has published these regulations within one month of their filing in the Ontario Gazette. These include amendments to the following Acts :

The amendments to the Act are divided into two groups. The first group of amendments deals with the practice of RN(ECs) while the second group deals with nursing leadership in public hospitals.

The amendments insure out-patient services provided by the RN(EC) which are consistent with the current legislated scope of practice as defined in the Nursing Act.

The amendments to the three LTC facility statutes are enabling rather than compulsory, that is the changes will enable RN(EC)s as either employees or independent contractors to provide health services to residents in LTC facilities. However, it is not mandatory for LTC facilities to have RN(EC)s attend to the health care needs of residents. The regulatory changes will enable RN(EC)s to provide health services within their scope of practice in LTC facilities that the regulations currently require a physician to do.

For details of the amendments, refer to the Ontario Gazette below.