critics worry new legislation aimed at attracting health workers could put patients at risk
nurses and other health professionals from other provin...
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nurses and other health professionals from other provinces would be able to work in ontario for up to 12 months without being registered with their regulatory body in the province, under legislation proposed by the ontario government. government sources say the “as of right” legislation, which is aimed at bringing in more health workers, assumes that any complaints against those workers or required disciplinary action would be dealt with by the regulatory body they are registered with in their home province. critics, including the acting head of the ontario nurses’ association (ona), say they are concerned the legislation could put patients at risk and make it more difficult for them to make a complaint against a health professional. they also say the initiative — one of several aimed at increasing the numbers of health workers in the province — will have little impact on shortages unless the province does a better job of retaining, supporting and bringing back health workers who have left their profession.
“being registered with the college (of nurses of ontario) gives the patient legal protection,” said bernie robinson, interim provincial president of the ona. “the college is responsible for public safety.”
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robinson said she met with nursing officials from the province about the plan and “wasn’t assured by it.”
“we worry about the compromise to patient care and to health worker integrity.”
the college of nurses of ontario said it is waiting for more details “about what the legislation will look like and contributing our feedback for how it can best support patient safety.”
the proposed legislation announced by premier doug ford earlier this month is based on the legal concept “as of right,” which essentially means that a person has a legal right to take a certain type of action without obtaining permission. the concept is sometimes used in the context of building codes and renovation work. experts say they have never seen it in the context of the health workforce in canada.
ford said health professionals from other provinces who are registered with a regulatory body there and who want to work in ontario “shouldn’t face barriers or bureaucratic delays.” the new rules would automatically recognize them in ontario, he said.
“if you have been thinking about making ontario your new home, now is the time to make the move,” said ford during an appearance in windsor earlier this month. “we are waiting with open arms.”
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the province describes the initiative as the first of its kind in canada.
“these changes, if passed, will mark the first step towards a pan-canadian portable registration model, the first of its kind for health care professionals in canada.”
the ontario government is not alone in thinking about breaking down inter-provincial and territorial barriers for health professionals. there are growing calls to make it easier for health workers to move within canada without going through the lengthy regulatory registration process.
ivy bourgeault, a uottawa professor who does research on the health workforce, health policy and politics, and women in health leadership, said removing barriers should be part of a broader national health human resources strategy to address worker shortages.
“you can’t just have a one-off provincial initiative. there needs to be a co-ordinated strategy.”
a pan-canadian strategy could help prevent wealthier provinces from trying to outbid poorer provinces to lure health workers.
but whether health workers move to provinces, she said, depends on how well paid, respected and supported they are. retaining and bringing back workers is key, she said.
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while the ontario government continues to appeal a court decision striking down bill 124 — which capped nurses’ compensation at one per cent — it is sending mixed messages to health workers, she said.
dianne martin, ceo of the registered practical nurses of ontario, said increasing mobility will also make it easier for ontario nurses to move to other provinces, which will encourage more signing bonuses to lure nurses.
“if ontario can poach from other provinces, other provinces will set up their own solutions. nurses will go to the highest bidder. this is no solution to the shortages.”
robinson of the ontario nurses’ association said the provincial government needs to focus on bringing back nurses who have left the profession, especially during the pandemic. ending the repeal of bill 124 is key to that, she said.
“we know there are people who left because of lack of respect.”
the bill is expected to be tabled in mid-february when the ontario legislature resumes sitting.
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