On November 9, 2023, the Nova Scotia Government passed the Regulated Health Professions Act, which establishes a common and consistent regulatory framework that will apply to all health professions in Nova Scotia. While we shared this news with stakeholders previously, the phased migration schedule was yet to be determined for when regulators, NSCN specifically, would be brought under the full frame of the Act. We have recently received confirmation from Government that NSCN will migrate to the new Act by the summer of 2026.
As previously shared, the modernized legislation is in keeping with the flexible structure and language of the Nursing Act. As a result, we do not anticipate this new authority to significantly impact or change how NSCN delivers on our mandate nor what stakeholders can continue to expect from NSCN. The timeline will allow NSCN to continue with ongoing operational priorities while preparing for the new legislation in 2026.
On January 22, 2024, NSCN and the Midwifery Regulatory Council of Nova Scotia (MRCNS) also received official direction from the Nova Scotia Government to amalgamate as one regulatory body by the summer of 2026. Midwives and nurses are autonomous health care providers and fulfill different roles in health care. What is similar between the two regulatory bodies, however, is the regulatory role and commitment to public protection.
There have been brief and early discussions between the two regulatory bodies and both are committed to making this amalgamation as successful as possible while working through the details with the Department of Health and Wellness. The time ahead will be leveraged to determine next steps, what this means to the public, our combined registrants and to each of our regulatory bodies.
Together, NSCN and MRCNS bring a collective 130 years of expertise in regulation in NS to the table. We remain open, as always, to engage in discussions with all required parties about how, as a single regulator, we can continue to benefit Nova Scotians and the health system.
Nova Scotia will be the third province with one regulatory body for nurses and midwives after the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) and the College of Registered Nurses and Midwives of Prince Edward Island (CRNMPEI).
This is an early development and there are many details yet to be determined. We look forward to sharing more news in the months ahead and invite you to stay tuned to our website, newsletter and social media.
