Politicians will get a behind the scenes look at the realities facing the health system when they go to work with nurses across the province next week.
Forty-two elected representatives are taking part in the 17th Take Your MPP To Work, an initiative organized annually by the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO).
Kicking off National Nursing Week (May 8 to 14) and continuing until the end of June, this nursing event provides MPPs with the opportunity to accompany a registered nurse (RN) and/or nurse practitioner (NP) on visits to public health units, NP-led clinics, community health centres, family health teams, hospitals, long-term care homes and on home care visits.
“Take Your MPP To Work allows politicians to see the successes and challenges nurses face every day at their workplace,” says RNAO president Carol Timmings.
“Through this experience, we hope MPPs are inspired to make healthy public policy decisions for Ontario’s health system.”
Participating MPPs this year include the Premier Kathleen Wynne, PC leader Patrick Brown and NDP health critic France Gélinas. “Nurses are the backbone of the province’s health system and their knowledge and compassion are foundational to ensuring the people of Ontario are receiving the best care possible,” says RNAO CEO Doris Grinspun.
“This is why it’s important we celebrate and share nurses’ expertise with politicians.”
For more information about RNAO, visit RNAO.ca or follow the RNAO on Facebook and Twitter.
