On Wednesday, April 10, 2019, RPNs from across the province gathered at Queen’s Park for RPNAO’s first Lobby Day since Ontario’s change in govern-ment – a day of advocacy, relationship and awareness-building.
Nearly 100 RPNs registered to travel to Toronto for the day to show their support and speak to Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) from all four parties about the value that RPNs bring to Ontario’s patients and the health care system overall. The event brought together passionate advo-cates from communities across On-tario, working to advance provincial policies that will impact the nursing profession and the expert care RPNs bring to patients every day.
As advocates headed into their MPP meetings, they were focused on three specific asks:
- Make sure all health professionals are putting their education and experience to best use. We need to be build-ing high-functioning, well-integrated patient care teams that empower all members to deliver care to the fullest extent of their expertise. Modest regulatory changes to RPNs’ scope of practice will bring better care to our most vulnerable people and better value to our health system.
- Develop a Health Human Resources Strategy that puts nurses where we need them. RPNAO believes that if Ontarians are going to get the quality health care they deserve, they need experienced, compassionate, know-ledgeable professionals at the bedside. In many cases, that professional is and should be an RPN. With expected shortages of RNs on the horizon, we need a strategy to ensure we have enough health professionals on the front lines. Without RPNs, hallway health care cannot be solved.
- Create career laddering opportunities for RPNs to address expected short-ages of RNs. Given their existing knowledge, skill and experience, RPNs who wish to do so are well-placed to climb the career ladder to a RN. By expanding education and supports for career lad-dering, the government can accelerate the pace at which the province can create new RNs in a cost-effective way.
The day kicked off with productive meetings with key MPPs, including the Official Opposition Health Critic, NDP MPP France Gélinas, and the third-party Interim Leader and Health Critic, Liberal MPP John Fraser. Following these and other early morning meet-ings, advocates and RPNAO represent-atives made their way to the House to view the day’s Question Period, where RPNs were introduced in the House by a number of MPPs, including Lindsey Park (Durham), Stephen Crawford (Oakville), Percy Hatfield (Windsor–Tecumseh), Mitzie Hunter (Scarbor-ough–Guildwood) and others.
The afternoon was filled with more productive meetings with key MPPs and influencers from all political parties, including the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health, MPP Robin Martin; Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier, MPP Stephen Lecce; Leader of the Official Opposition, MPP Andrea Horwath; and Green Party Leader, MPP Mike Schreiner.
The day wrapped up with an even-ing reception and a chance for RPNs and RPNAO representatives to mix-and-mingle and chat more informally with MPPs from across the province. During the reception, we were also grateful to have remarks on the value and importance of RPNs for Ontario’s health care from Minister Christine Elliott and MPPs France Gelinas, John Fraser and Mike Schreiner.
All in all, we had a successful event with great turnout, both from RPNs and MPPs. Officials were eager to learn more about the important role RPNs play and show their support for our frontline professionals.
Since the 2018 election, we have worked hard to build a strong rela-tionship with the new government, so that RPNAO is best positioned to advocate for our members – to make sure RPNs are empowered to give the compassionate care patients need and deserve. This was a day to build on that relationship, while also strengthening the important ties we have to all the other parties at Queen’s Park – NDP, Liberals and Greens alike. It was also, crucially, a chance for frontline RPNs to make real for our elected officials the incredible work they’re doing every single day, and the challenges they often face. That’s a vital part of our push for positive change.
I was pleased to see the very next day that the government has commit-ted to expanding scope of practice for frontline care providers. We will be working closely with the govern-ment in the weeks to come to build on the momentum created out of our Lobby Day to realize RPN scope of practice changes.
This year, I was inspired to be surrounded by such passionate, dedicat-ed and like-minded folks. Each year, I look forward to spending our Lobby Day with the people who are at the heart of RPNAO and who, every day, make me proud to represent this or-ganization. Together, we were able to advance our vital needs so we can better serve Ontario’s patients.
Thank you to all who participated in this year’s Lobby Day and contributed to our great success!
