The 900-plus nursing positions recently created by the province could have a direct impact on the care received by residents in and around this county.
Late last week government officials announced the Waterloo Wellington Local Health integration Network (LHIN) will receive 55.6 of those positions.
“These new nurses will improve frontline care by making sure patients get the right care where and when they need it,” said Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.
“No one works more closely with patients than our nurses, who play key roles coordinating home care and providing preventative care in long-term care homes, outreach services in the community and surgical support in our hospitals.”
The government announcement was lauded by LHIN officials.
“The health and well being of Waterloo Wellington residents is greatly enhanced through the care, work and commitment demonstrated by our local nurses – every day,” said Bruce Lauckner, chief executive officer of the Waterloo Wellington LHIN.
“The wide range of care we receive from these dedicated and highly-skilled professionals ensures that people stay healthy, get good care when they are sick, and support as we get well. The new nursing positions support our residents to have better health and better futures.”
Examples of the nursing positions in Waterloo-Wellington LHIN include:
– 12 for long-term care home residents with complex and challenging behaviours;
– 12 telemedicine nurses who support patients in remote areas while they receive care from specialists through video hook-up;
– nine nurses working in schools to identify and support students with mental health or addiction issues;
– six rapid response nurses to provide the first in-home nursing visit to patients with high-risk conditions within 24 hours of being discharged from hospital;
– 1.6 nurses dedicated care to non-urgent ambulance patients arriving in hospital emergency rooms;
– three nurse practitioner-led clinics to provide comprehensive, accessible and coordinated family health care services to populations who have difficulty accessing a primary care provider;
– six surgical first assist nurses who support surgeons and other operating room staff;
– two nurses who visit long-term care home residents, helping them avoid unnecessary visits to hospital emergency departments;
– two nurses who identify and help teenagers and young adults with suspected first episodes of psychosis;
– one nurse practitioner who will help manage care for people with eating disorders; and
– one patient navigator nurse who will be supporting cancer care patients while they are being diagnosed.
The announcement of over 900 nursing positions was also welcomed by the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario.
