Health Minister Sylvia Jones announced Thursday that the change aimed at stabilizing the health system is effective immediately.
The minister had previously asked the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) to draft regulations to boost the numbers of nurses in the province. They have been approved by the government Thursday, Jones says.
Also effective immediately, the college will have more flexibility in allowing retired or non-practising nurses to return to the field.
Jones had also asked the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario to propose ways to get more doctors working in the province. Effectively immediately, she says physicians licensed in other provinces and territories can get a temporary, three-month registration to work in Ontario.
She is also announcing a number of other changes that will take effect on Jan. 1, including imposing time limits on health regulatory colleges to make registration decisions and banning them from requiring Canadian work experience for registration.
College of nurses welcomes move
Describing the announcement as “excellent news,” CNO’s executive director and CEO Silvie Crawford said it will help increase access to safe nursing care for Ontarians at a critical time.
“The College of Nurses of Ontario protects the public through the promotion of safe nursing practice, this includes the registration of nurses with the knowledge, skill and judgment to practice safely in Ontario,” Crawford said in a statement to CBC Toronto.
“Already in 2022 CNO has registered more nurses than ever, and these regulation changes will further support the increase of safe, qualified nurses into the health care system.”
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