Local politician Ted Arnott follows in registered nurses"™ footsteps

Ted Arnott was in town recently for a medical checkup - but not the traditional kind.

Local nurses had invited  Wellington-Halton Hills MPP  Arnott to learn more about the successes and challenges of practising as a registered nurse (RN) in Ontario by touring the Elora site of the Upper Grand Family Health Team on May 31.

Arnott was just one of many provincial politicians participating in the 13th annual Take Your MPP to Work event - part of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario’s (RNAO) event which encourages politicians to shadow nurses in order to better understand the role of RNs in Ontario’s health-care system.

The idea is to provide politicians a better understanding of the responsibilities nurses have in communities, see how nurses use their knowledge and skills to better the health of the local population, and observe RNs’ interactions with patients.

“Nurses have a critical role to play in disease prevention, health promotion and client-centred care,” says Lisa Melburn, cardio respiratory RN and workplace liaison with RNAO’s Wellington chapter.

“Take Your MPP to Work gives our political leaders a fantastic opportunity to experience and see, firsthand, the high-quality care RNs provide on a daily basis. It also helps to enhance their knowledge when it comes to the day-to-day workings of our health-care system.”

Melburn explained the tour would take Arnott through the Elora location - one of three branches operated by the family health team which has offices in Fergus, Elora and Arthur.

Arnott was also able to observe a diabetes support group in progress.

Melburn noted the group sessions are helpful for the patients, the physicians and the nurses because there is a lot of education which can happen in a group setting.

It also helps patients learn from each other and is a much more efficient use of both the nurse’s and physician’s time.

“Everyone gets a  better idea of how to control their diabetes, and learn as a group, the approaches which are working for different people ... and issues which are presenting more of a challenge.”

Kelley Eves works with people to manage their diabetes, pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol (metabolic syndrome). She brings compassion to her role in the UGFHT.

In speaking to members of the Diabetes support group, Arnott said in his role as MPP, the job includes participating in the Registered Nurses of Ontario event to learn more about the work they do.

He appreciated seeing the proactive stance.

One member of the group thanked Arnott for all the work done on behalf of Groves Memorial Community Hospital and the work to get a new hospital.

Arnott said that is the work of a lot of people.

“The hospital staff are fantastic along with the volunteers who work so hard.”

He added the community itself has joined in the fundraising work.

“It’s been a real team effort,” he said.

Nurse Practitioner Laurie Barnhardt said it took 50 family health teams to encourage physicians to improve the way they treat diabetes.

From there, programs were developed here.

“It is amazing what is happening with the patients.”

Many have described how well they love the group, she said.

Locally, there are four groups - each group having 10 to 12 participants.

“We hope this can be built upon.”

Barnhardt stressed the groups were just one of a number of initiatives.

Arnott said “it is fair to say there is an epidemic with Diabetes in terms of its explosive growth.”

He said he saw this as a postive approach to deal with the issue proactively.

Arnott also had the opportunity to see telemedicine up close and personal and exactly how the technology brought to this part of Ontario where nurses are able to sit down with patients locally in their own home town, and see specialists throughout Ontario.

Paula McClintock, RN and Shannon Leighton, RN are Telemedicine coordinators for both the Upper Grand Family Health and the East Wellington Family Health teams.

As nurses, the pair help support those people with appointments through telemedicine.

McClintock explained that meant people can consult with a specialist without having to travel to major centres such as Toronto or Hamilton.

Instead, the person can come to a local family health team office and set up a video conference with the doctor.

“For the most part people are really pleased they did not have to travel or to find the place in the city.”

She added there are savings on parking and having to locate parking, “they appreciate the time they are saving ... and the cost.”

She added “often once the individual gets used to the video conference camera, it is the same as being face-to-face.

With the East Wellington Family Health Team the pair supports that community within the offices in Erin and Rockwood.

And, Melborn added, the nurse is able to include additional information immediately into the patient’s notes and the physician gets instant notification of changes allowing treatment options to be considered.

Arnott found the tour of the Family Health Team Elora location quite interesting.

“I’m very pleased that the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario annually encourages MPPs to come and see the work they do to gain a better and more detailed understanding of the work they provide.”

“I have tremendous respect and admiration for our nurses and am pleased to see what is happening in Elora and Centre Wellington.”

“We are very fortunate to have these health care professionals looking after us.”