The Provincial Government has made legislative amendments this fall to respond to requests from regulatory bodies, improve recruitment and retention of health professionals, and make it easier for health care professionals to relocate to Newfoundland and Labrador.

The amendments are another step in the Provincial Government’s transformation of health care based on recommendations from Health Accord NL.

Amendments passed this fall include:

• Changes to the Medical Act which authorize the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador to register and license physician assistants in the province, which will facilitate the introduction of physician assistants to the province.
• Changes to the Medical Act and the Psychologists Act to provide for an internal review of registration decisions for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Newfoundland and Labrador Psychology Board, which will increase administrative transparency and fairness for applicants to the regulators.
• The creation of a new Nurses Act which creates the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses as the regulator for all nursing professions in the province and improves the college’s ability to regulate the profession in the public interest.
• Changes to the Registered Nurses Act which authorizes the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador to register and license registered psychiatric nurses, which will assist in bringing registered psychiatric nurses to the province.

Registered psychiatric nurses provide holistic, client-centred care for clients with complex psychosocial, mental health and addictions, and physical needs. Historically regulated in Western Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba), registered psychiatric nurses have recently become regulated in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Prince Edward Islands, and now Newfoundland and Labrador.

The amendments are in addition to proclamation of the Health Professions Act into force for medical radiation technologists, who have been advocating for regulation of their profession. The new Pharmacy Regulations follow the coming into force of the Pharmacy Act on September 30, 2024, and, among other things, removes the requirement for pharmacists to obtain an authorization to prescribe drugs to patients. This is further to amendments in late 2023 to allow pharmacy technicians to administer drug therapies by inhalation or injection.

The amendments reflect the Provincial Government’s commitment to work with regulatory bodies to ensure that the legislative framework is responsive to the needs of the regulator.

Quotes
“We are happy to work with our partners to make these amendments to address their concerns. Amendments such as these will help bring physician assistants to the province and reduce administrative burden and will allow registered psychiatric nurses to work here. Working with these organizations demonstrates our commitment to improving health care for all residents and working conditions for our health care professionals.”
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Minister of Health and Community Services

“The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador welcomes the advancement of medical regulation in the amendments to the Medical Act. We look forward to licensing physician assistants to contribute to the delivery of safe, quality medical care to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Dr. Tanis Adey
CEO and Registrar, The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador

-30-

Learn more
Follow us on X @GovNL and @HCS_GovNL

Like us on Facebook