On November 30th 2009, Bill 179 was passed, allowing nurse practitioners, pharmacists, physiotherapists and other health professionals to provide a wider range of health care services.
Allowing nurse practitioners and other health professionals to provide these services is expected to lower wait times at emergency rooms and clinics, as well as increase access to health care services throughout Ontario, particularly in rural areas.
Bill 179 Highlights:
- Nurse practitioners, pharmacists, physiotherapists, dietitians, midwives and medical radiation technologists will be able to deliver more services than they are currently allowed to provide.
- Nurse practitioners and physiotherapists can now order x-rays for specific purposes.
- Nurse practitioners will have a wider scope on the types of drugs they may dispense, compound and sell.
The Bill’s supporters claim that giving patients more choice, in terms of who provides health care service, will increase patient satisfaction, and consequently improve the state of health care in Ontario.
