Alberta’s Licensed Practical Nurses will be able to provide more patient care starting in a few months.
The United Conservative government is amending the LPN profession regulation to expand the scope of practice in five key areas including administering blood or blood products.
Health Minister Tyler Shandro says the government is committed to strengthening the health care system and one way to do that is to allow LPNs to practice to the full extent of their competence and training.
The expanded scope of practice will come into effect on February 1st.
The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees however, says it’s concerned with the decision.
Vice President Susan Slade says LPNs are highly qualified workers and a key part of delivering quality health care to Albertans but with this announcement, the UCP government is asking them to do more with less.
She says front line workers are already stretched thin and increasing their workload without any firm promise to increase staffing levels or other resources is not good for workers or health care delivery.