February 23, 2023
The change means more health professionals in ERs will be able to assist people in crisis as well as reduced wait time. Nurse practitioners in B.C. are now allowed to admit people to hospital under the Mental Health Act to reduce long waits for a doctor, which tied up the police officers accompanying a person in a mental health crisis. If a NP or physician determines a person is an imminent risk to themselves or others, they can be involuntarily admitted to a designated mental health facility for up to 48 hours. A physician will still be required to examine the patient if they must be held longer than 48 hours.