Nurse practitioners can now assess people in crisis at emergency departments for involuntary admission to a mental-health facility for up to 48 hours under the Mental Health Act, the province announced Thursday.
The change to the Mental Health Act, effective immediately, means patients and police no longer need to face possible hours-long waits for a physician.
Involuntary treatment is limited to psychiatric treatment under the act.
Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside said in a news release that enabling nurse practitioners to assess patients will ensure people in distress are able to get help faster.
The mental-health facility director will be able to admit a person to a designated mental-health facility for up to 48 hours if a nurse practitioner or physician assesses the patient as having a mental disorder that requires involuntary treatment.
A physician is required to examine the patient if they are to be held longer than 48 hours.
Alix Arndt, interim CEO of Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of British Columbia, applauded the change, saying nursing professionals are often the first connection for those seeking mental-health care.
“Utilizing nurse practitioners to assess and complete certificates for involuntary admission speaks to the depth of knowledge NPs have in providing care for those most vulnerable in their times of greatest need,” said Arndt.
Health Minister Adrian Dix said nurse practitioners are critical to the health-care system, particularly for underserviced rural and Indigenous communities, seniors and people requiring mental-health and addictions care.
“Allowing nurse practitioners to complete medical certificates for involuntary admission of individuals to mental-health facilities will prevent delays in access to mental-health care for many people in B.C.,” Dix said in a statement.
Victoria Police Chief Const. Del Manak noted police officers are often the first to respond to mental-health calls, and called the changes a positive step that allows timely transfer of patients so officers can return to “addressing crime and ensuring public safety.”
During the spring 2022 legislative session, legislation was passed to amend the Mental Health Act so that people involuntarily admitted under the act can access support from an independent rights adviser.
The new service is expected to serve the first patients in the fall.
ceharnett@timescolonist.com
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