Nurse practitioners in BC now have the authority to assess patients for involuntary admission into mental health facilities.
New changes to the Mental Health Act allow facility directors to admit patients for up to 48 hours, based on the opinion of a nurse practitioner.
A physician is still required to examine the patient if they are to be held for longer than 48 hours.
With the changes, the province hopes to get people faster access to the treatment they need, while reducing emergency room wait times.
They also say the changes will allow police to transfer care faster for those experiencing crises, getting them back on the streets faster.
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