Amendments Improving Recruitment of Health Care Professionals Announced

The province 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 the province.

Amendments passed 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.

There will be 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.

For nurses, the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses will be created as the regulator for all nursing professions in the province. Additionally the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador will register and license registered psychiatric nurses.