MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
May 11 , 2012
(LONDON, Ontario) –Three local members of provincial parliament (MPPs) joined London Health Sciences Centre registered nurses (RNs) at work today to participate in the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario's (RNAO) 12th annual Take Your MPP to Work event.
Chris Bentley, Minister of Energy, along with NDP MPP Teresa Armstrong and PC MPP Jeff Yurek toured patient care areas at LHSC’s University Hospital to learn more about how RNs help improve patients' health outcomes and quality of life by providing knowledge-based care driven by evidence, skills, compassion and dedication.
“At London Health Sciences Centre more than 3,200 nursing staff provide exceptional experiences for patients every day and we welcome the opportunity to share their work experiences with MPPs,” said Dr. Vanessa Burkoski, LHSC Vice President, Professional Practice and Chief Nursing Executive.
MPP Quotes:
"I am incredibly pleased to be participating in the 'Take Your MPP to Work Day' organized by the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario. Witnessing the hard work of nurses firsthand truly deepens one's appreciation for the important care they are providing on the frontlines of our cherished public health-care system. I am reminded that the nurses' working environment is the patients' healing environment, and that we have more work to do to ensure that the quality and accessibility of health care continue to improve. I sincerely thank the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario for this important event, and look forward to their receiving their ongoing advice."
- Teresa Armstrong, MPP (London-Fanshawe)
"'Take Your MPP to Work Day' is an important opportunity to witness first-hand the great work being done by our nurses. I would like to thank them for working hard to provide quality care to those who need it."
- Chris Bentley, Minister of Energy and MPP (London-West)
"I think 'Take your MPP to Work' is a terrific initiative spearheaded by the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario. It is a great opportunity for me and other MPPs to understand what occurs on the front line of our health care system. Being able to talk with the patients, nurses,
doctors, and other front-line workers is truly invaluable. Health care
is a fundamental right in this country and through initiatives like
this, we can work together to ensure that all Ontarians have access to
the world's best health care."
- Jeff Yurek, MPP (Elgin-Middlesex-London)
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About London Health Sciences Centre
London Health Sciences Centre has been in the forefront of medicine in Canada for 137 years and offers the broadest range of specialized clinical services in Ontario. Building on the traditions of its founding hospitals to provide compassionate care in an academic teaching setting, London Health Sciences Centre is home to Children’s Hospital, South Street Hospital, University Hospital, Victoria Hospital, two family medical centres, and two research institutes – Children’s Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute, a joint research initiative with St. Joseph’s Health Care London. As a leader in medical discovery and health research, London Health Sciences Centre has a history of over 50 international and national firsts and attracts top clinicians and researchers from around the world. As a regional referral centre, London Health Sciences Centre cares for the most medically complex patients including critically injured adults and children in southwestern Ontario and beyond. The hospital’s nearly 15,000 staff, physicians, students and volunteers provide care for more than one million patient visits a year. For more information visit www.lhsc.on.ca
For media inquiries contact:
Cathy Cuylle
Corporate Communications and Public Relations
London Health Sciences Centre
519-685-8500, ext. 77517
Cathy.Cuylle@lhsc.on.ca
