Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Social Programs reviewed Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Nursing Profession Act and the Pharmacy Act, at its meetings on June 12 and 14, 2002.
This bill amends the Nursing Profession Act to authorize the practice of qualified nurse practitioners who are parties to collaborative practice agreements to practice at pilot project sites designated by the Minister. The bill sets qualifications for the registration of nurse practitioners and provides for the development and approval of guidelines respecting their practice. The bill authorizes a nurse practitioner who is a party to a collaborative practice agreement to make a diagnosis, order and interpret screening and diagnostic tests, prescribe and monitor drugs and perform other procedures as authorized by the Minister.
The bill also amends the Pharmacy Act so that prescriptions signed by nurse practitioners may be filled by pharmaceutical chemists.
The committee would like to thank the Honourable Michael Miltenberger, Minister of Health and Social Services, his officials and those of the Department of Justice who appeared before the committee to present the bill and respond to the issues raised by committee.
The committee would also like to thank the Honourable Roger Allen, Minister of Justice, who represented the Minister of Health and Social Services at the resumption of the public hearing on June 14, 2002.
The committee would also like to thank the Northwest Territories Registered Nurses Association and the Northwest Territories Medical Association for their helpful presentations. In particular, with respect to the presentation by the Northwest Territories Medical Association, the committee would suggest to the association that their concerns be brought back to the committee when the government brings forward new nursing legislation, which is likely to deal more comprehensively with the question of nurse practitioners.
During our review of Bill 8, three motions were passed to amend the bill. The motions provided for consequential amendments to the Disease Registries Act, Emergency Medical Aid Act, Interpretation Act and Labour Standards Act, and clarified that only persons holding registrations as nurses or nurse practitioners are entitled to be so designated by title and initials. The bill as amended and reprinted is before Members today.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes the committee's comments on Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Nursing Profession Act and the Pharmacy Act. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.