September 2003 ONP Update

Office of nursing policy Health Canada

Health Council - Update

On September 25th, The Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Health, announced that the Government of Canada is seeking potential candidates for expert and public representatives for the soon-to-be created th Health Council.

The deadline for submitting the names of potential candidates is October 10, 2003.

The Health Council is an important part of the First Ministers' Accord on Health Care Renewal as it will strengthen the accountability and transparency of the health care system for Canadians.

On September 4, 2003, federal/provincial/territorial Ministers of Health agreed that they will use the next seven weeks to expedite work on the Health Council. Ministers will recommend a Chair, non-governmental representatives and name government representatives. They will work to ensure the Council has an appropriate mandate consistent with the 2003 First Ministers' Agreement and is affordable and non-bureaucratic. They will make recommendations to their respective First Ministers regarding these issues.

In addition to a Chair, the Council will have 13 expert and public representatives, and 13 government representatives (one from each jurisdiction) for a total of 27. The Council will publicly report through federal/provincial/territorial Ministers of Health and will include representatives from both orders of government, experts and the public.

The federal government, as well as each province and territory may recommend up to four potential candidates as either expert or public representatives on the Council. Ministers of Health will then choose 13 public/expert representatives from this pool. Expert and public representatives will play a key role on the Health Council by presenting a diverse range of perspectives on health care issues. Potential candidates would be expected to participate on a part-time basis.

Canadians can submit their suggestions for the Government of Canada's four potential expert and public candidates via Health Canada's web site (www.hc-sc.gc.ca) or in writing to:

www.hc-sc.gc.ca
Health Council
PL 0900 C2
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0K9
Fax: (613) 941-5366

Interested individuals or groups are encouraged to consult the attached selection criteria and provide supporting background information. Potential candidates should be consulted and agree to have their names and credentials submitted for the purpose of participating in this selection process. Candidates will not act as representatives of particular organizations.

Selection Criteria - expert candidates should have one or more of the following characteristics:

• Expertise in health system issues
• Expertise in patient/client issues
• Experience as a health care provider
• Expertise in other relevant areas, including performancemeasurement in health, governance and accountability, and public finance
• Well-respected leaders in their field of expertise

Public candidates should have one or more of the following characteristics:

• Demonstrated interest in health care issues
• Experience in addressing health care issues at the local /community level
• Well-respected leaders in their community

New President Elected For The Canadian Practical Nurses Association

Congratulations to Gabrielle Bridle, new President of CPNA.

Gabrielle Bridle, RPN was elected the new President for CPNA and took office on September 23, 2003.

Garbielle has been a practionner for 28 years, with experience in a variety of patient populations and has been a member of various councils and committees. For more information contact: The Canadian Practical Nurses Association (CPNA)

Canadian Institute For Health Information - Workforce Trends Of RNS In Canada

Released on September 17, 2003, this report provides an overview of changes in Canada's RN workforce between 1998 and 2002.

This report takes a "province by province" look at the supply and distribution of Canada's RNs, describing characteristics of the workforce, including: demographics, employment characteristics, education, and migration.

For further information: The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI)

New Governing Council Member - Canadian Institutes Of Health Research

Congratulations Dr. Nancy Edwards, appointed to the Council of CIHR.

Dr. Edwards is Professor at the School of Nursing & Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine at the University of Ottawa, Director of the Community Health Research Unit and Academic Consultant for the Ottawa Health Department.

She holds one of six national nursing research chairs funded by the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation and CIHR, and was a member of the Advisory Board for the Institute of Population and Public Health. For further information: Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Nursing Sector Study - Update

The Nursing Sector Study is an important step in addressing the utilization of Canada's nursing human resources. The overall goal of this two-year study is to produce an integrated labour market strategy for Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses, and Licensed Practical Nurses.

Surveys are in the mail. More than 39,000 randomly selected nurses across Canada have started to receive the Building the Future Survey. This survey is asking them about their workplaces, their patients, their own health, their job satisfaction, their career paths and aspirations.

This is the largest sample of nurses to ever be surveyed in Canada. The study will not only provide data for each province and territory, but will provide consistent data to allow comparisons across Canada. The survey will provide labour market information to address the current and future supply of the three regulated nursing occupational groups. In many instances, this survey will provide provinces and territories new data to fill important gaps on nursing HR issues.

Quarantine Regulations - Consultations

On September 13, 2003, a notice appeared in Canada Gazette Part I to advise Canadians of consultations to be conducted this fall to update the Quarantine Regulations. These regulations are made under the Quarantine Act.

The Quarantine Regulations were last amended in June, 2003 to allow Health Canada to deal more effectively with SARS. Changes, for example, allowed Quarantine Officers to exercise the full range of powers under the Act for arriving and departing passengers.

It was recognized at that time that the Regulations required further update and the Department undertook to do so. In addition, the Quarantine Act itself will be subject to further review under the legislative renewal process that Health Canada is undertaking to strengthen and improve current federal health protection laws to better protect the health and safety of Canadians.

On June 9, the Minister of Health announced that Health Canada would hold public consultations on the elements of the proposed new Canada Health Protection Act, including the Quarantine Act. These consultations will give Canadians the opportunity to participate in discussions on legislative renewal proposals before a new Bill is drafted. For further information: The Department of Justice. Canada Gazette

Infection Control Protective Equipment- Request For Research Applications

The Change Foundation (TCF), at the request from the Ontario Hospital Association, is taking a lead role in research to improve infection control protective equipment and workplace safety in health care. The Steering Committee, chaired by Dr. Donald Low, Microbiologist-in-Chief at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, met in August and developed a two-phase approach to the study.

In this Phase One component, a grant of up to $50,000 (Cdn) will be awarded to one research team to conduct a preliminary analysis of the domains that are pertinent to improving the effectiveness of facial protective equipment, including applied science, decision supports, health and safety, and organizational behaviour. The Phase One proposal will review existing literature and expert opinion on the above domains in terms of opportunities from improved infection control; and prioritize, with justifications, the most likely opportunities identified for protecting health care workers given the available resources and a two-year time frame. In Phase Two, another RFA will be issued in April 2004 to initiate the research approach that is identified in the Phase One, as the most likely to provide healthcare workers with better facial protection. Up to $200, 000 (Cdn) will be available for Phase Two.

The deadline foe submission to the Phase One study is Wednesday, October 15th, 2003. Projects short-listed for final consideration will be contacted and funding will be announced on November 3rd, 2003. Funding for this project will be from the Imperial Oil donations to the OHA.

ONP News

We are happy to welcome Fadi El-Jardali who joins ONP as the new Senior Policy Advisor. Also new on staff for a three month internship, Joanne Rey, MN Student from the University of Toronto. Welcome Fadi and Joanne!

Meanwhile, we would like to offer our best wishes to Patricia Walsh, who has moved on to the Centres of Excellence in Children's Health. Congratulations Patricia!

Conferences

"Voices of the Future" - 32nd Annual Conference of the Ontario Occupational Health Nurses Association. October 1- 3, 2003 at the London Convention Centre. Special rates for non-nursing health care and safety associations. Visit Ontario Occupational Health Nurses Association for details.

The Canadian Association of Advanced Practice Nurses (CAAPN) is hosting their biennial conference in London Ontario from Oct. 5-7th.

Numerous concurrent sessions both days, with clinical, research and administrative/leadership topics of interest to Advanced Practice Nurses and their colleagues. For further information: Canadian Association Of Advanced Practice Nurses

The 5th Dorothy M. Wylie Leadership Institute Oct 14-19, 2003 Bank of Montreal Institute for Learning, Toronto ON.

Partners in Primary Health Care Moving the Health Agenda Forward. October 16 & 17, 2003. Sponsored by: The Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland & Labrador, and the Newfoundland & Labrador Nurses Union. For further information: Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador

RNAO Centre for Professional Nursing Excellence Older People Deserve the Best! Building A Policy Framework and Innovative Services for Elder Health" 2nd International Conference on Elder Care October 22-23, 2003 Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto ON.

SRNA, CRNM, AARN & RNABC Time for Action: Policy in Action Towards Excellence in Nursing - 2nd Western Canadian Nurse Leaders Forum Nov 12-14, 2003 Radisson Hotel Saskatoon SK The Saskatchewan Registered Nurses' Association (SRNA)

RNAO and RPNAO 3rd annual Healthy Workplaces in Action (2003) International Conference November 20-21, 2003

Westin Prince Hotel, Toronto ON The deadline for abstract submission was June 30, 2003.

WORLD CONGRESS FOR PSYCHIATRIC NURSES May 6, 7, 8, 2004 Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada Sponsored by the Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada For further information: Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Phone: (204) 888-4841