Three local registered nurses recently sat down with MPP Ted McMeekin to talk about issues regarding nursing care and the affects one the health of residents across Ontario.

Lori Schindel Martin, president of the Gerontological Nursing Association of Ontario, Melissa Northwood, also of the GNAO, and McMaster nursing student, Claire Wolfe shared their experiences working with clients.

The women said they were pleased to have the opportunity to discuss with MPP McMeekin the positive impact RNs have on their clients’ health and strategies to better utilize RNs by expanding their scope of practice to include prescription of some laboratory tests and medications.

The group also discussed how nurse practitioners can provide quality care for clients, particularly in long-term care, to alleviate some of the stress on the health-care system. The issue is one of the key points contained in Why Your Health Matters, a document of health recommendations compiled by the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario. The association wants all parties to consider and adopt the proposals contained in the platform.

For the past 14 years, RNAO members have travelled to Queen’s Park or Ontario’s legislative building, where they break into small groups and meet with MPPs, including cabinet ministers and their staff to discuss nursing, health and health-care issues. The proroguing of the legislature late last year meant many MPPs were not in their Queen’s Park offices at the time.