US EditionOntario considers expanding scopes of practice for health professionals
The Ford government aims to reduce emergency visits and wait times by allowing over a dozen health professional groups to expand services, benefiting 2.5 million Ontarians without family doctors.
- Ontario is exploring new regulations that would grant pharmacists, optometrists, psychologists, and other health professionals additional responsibilities and authority in their fields.
- This initiative expands on the changes introduced in 2023, when pharmacists gained the authority to evaluate and prescribe treatment for 13 minor ailments, helping to alleviate the demand on doctors and emergency departments.
- The proposed changes would enable pharmacists to prescribe for 14 additional ailments and administer more publicly funded vaccines, while optometrists could perform minor in-office surgeries and psychologists could prescribe certain medications.
- Ontario’s Deputy Premier and Health Minister Sylvia Jones emphasized that trained health-care workers across the province are prepared to take on a larger role, helping to keep doctors’ offices and emergency rooms accessible for patients with urgent needs.
- If approved, these expansions could improve access to care, reduce wait times, and alleviate strain on primary care providers, walk-in clinics, and hospitals across Ontario.
28 Articles
28 Articles
Ontario looks to expand pharmacist prescription powers, take pressure off family doctors
Ontario residents could soon get prescriptions for 14 more health issues from a pharmacist, rather than a family doctor, under new regulations proposed by the province. Optometrists, psychologists and physiotherapists would also gain authority to do more procedures under the changes.
Ford government continuing to expand services provided by pharmacists, optometrists and psychologists
The Ford government is expanding the number of services that health professionals can provide in order to help cut down on the number of visits to emergency rooms and doctors’ offices. Among the proposed changes, optometrists would be able to perform minor surgical procedures in the office without having to refer patients to a physician, […]
Winnipeg Free Press
Ontario considers expanding scopes of practice for health professionals
Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada
Ontario eyes expanded roles for health-care professionals | Wallaceburg News | Local news in Wallaceburg, Dresden and surrounding areas.
Ontario is looking to expand the scope of practice for several regulated health-care professionals in an effort to improve access to care and ease pressure on the system. The Ministry of Health said Tuesday the province is consulting on changes that would allow optometrists, psychologists, physiotherapists and other providers to work to the full extent of their training. The move is part of the government’s plan to make care more connected and c…
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