(Giuseppe Valiante/ Canadian Press) — Quebec’s super nurses are now able to diagnose common health problems as well as several conditions, including: diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hypothyroidism.
“Our goal has always been to best meet the needs of the population,” said Dr. Mauril Gaudreault, President of the College of Physicians, in a statement.
“I am pleased to see that practices are evolving in favor of accessibility, quality and safety of care.”
The change in policy has been in the works for over a year, dating back to negotiations started by former health minister Gaetan Barrette. Under the previous Liberal government, when Barrette wanted to give nurses more authority, he said he had to personally intervene in the file and threaten Quebec’s college of physicians. (…)