More autonomy for SNPs as of January 25, 2021
The Government of Québec announced today, Friday, the passing of the Regulation respecting specialized nurse practitioners (SNP). Therefore, an Act to amend the Nurses Act and other provisions in order to facilitate access to health services, passed on March 18 will go into effect on January 25, 2021. This regulation demonstrates the importance of the SNP role in access to health care.
This is a victory that will enable Québec SNPs to get closer to the Canadian standard of practice. In the future, the SNP can also diagnose certain illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, asthma and chronic obstructive lung diseases. They can also follow up pregnancies or even put patients in protective custody.
Since the regulation will only be made public in a few days and we have to wait until the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec issues its directives, it is still too early to say whether the regulation will result in full autonomy for the SNPs. We will analyze it at the right time and if necessary, we will continue our efforts so that one day SNPs can have the autonomy they were trained for.
There is no doubt that SNPs, like the other healthcare professionals, are part of the solution for the current health crisis.