Faculty of Nursing position statement envisions community-based approach
“Changes to improve the health of our population can and should begin in our communities, through implementation of community health care centres that bring together interprofessional health care teams, including registered nurses (RN) and nurse practitioners (NP).”
That’s a quote from Dr. Alice Gaudine, dean of Memorial University’s Faculty of Nursing, introducing a position statement on community health care developed by the faculty, which you can .
As consultations and work on a Health Accord for Newfoundland and Labrador continue, the need for radical change to a system that is not only expensive to maintain, but results in the worst health outcomes in the country is evident.
“Registered nurses and nurse practitioners have the necessary education and skills mix to serve as the point of entry to the health care system in many situations,” said Dr. Gaudine. “And at all stages of life, in situations of health, illness, injury and disability, RNs and NPs deliver direct healthcare services, coordinate care, and support clients in managing their own health.”
Dr. Gaudine points out that an interprofessional approach to health care in a community-based setting is already working well in many other provinces including in the Maritimes. Here in this province successful community health centres operate on the Burin Peninsula, in Bonavista, and in Labrador, just to mention a few.