Media Advisory: RNs kick-start 2011 provincial election with release of
comprehensive policy recommendations for political parties

TORONTO, Jan. 26 /CNW/ - Two-hundred and twenty registered nurses and nursing students are heading to Queen's Park this week to challenge the political parties to adopt policies they say will create a healthier society and improve the health-care system for all Ontarians, in advance of the October 2011 election.

The nurses' election platform, Creating Vibrant Communities, is being released on Thursday during the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario's (RNAO) Annual Day at Queen's Park. The platform outlines policy recommendations in six key areas: social determinants of health; the environment; enhancing Medicare; improving access to nursing services; building a nursing career in Ontario; and strengthening public services.

    
    WHO:
    -   RNAO President Wendy Fucile and Executive Director Doris Grinspun
    -   220 registered nurses and nursing students

    WHAT:
    -   Media conference to release Creating Vibrant Communities: RNAO's
        Challenge to Ontario's Political Parties

    WHEN:
    -   Thursday, Jan. 28, 9 - 9:35 a.m.

    WHERE:
    -   Queen's Park Media Studio, Main Legislative Building, Queen's Park
    

After the platform is unveiled, nurse leaders and nursing students will gather in Room 228 of the main legislative building to hear speeches by and ask questions of Ted Arnott, Progressive Conservative MPP for Wellington-Halton Hills (10:05 a.m.), the Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care (10:45 a.m.), Andrea Horwath, leader of the New Democratic Party and France Gelinas, NDP Health Critic (11:25 a.m.), and Vanessa Burkoski, Provincial Chief Nursing Officer (12:05 p.m.).

In the afternoon, nurses will attend meetings with 60 MPPs and their political staff to talk about the issues that concern the people who live in their communities.

The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) is the professional association representing registered nurses wherever they practise in Ontario. Since 1925, RNAO has lobbied for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses' contribution to shaping the health-care system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public they serve.

For more information about Queen's Park Day and RNAO, visit our website at www.rnao.org. You can also check out our Facebook page at www.rnao.org/facebook and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/rnao.

For further information: Jill-Marie Burke, Communications Officer, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO), Phone: [phone] - office; Marion Zych, Director of Communications, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO), Phone: [phone] - cellular, [phone] - office