NLIS 1
May 9, 2005
(Health and Community Services)
Province names first chief nurse
Loyola Sullivan, acting Minister of Health and
Community Services today announced that Anita Ludlow has been named as the
province�s first chief nurse, honouring the government�s Blueprint commitment to
establish the position.
"A strong nursing profession is important to our plan to build a healthier
province and meet the goals of the 2004 First Ministers (FMM) Health Accord to
achieve meaningful reduction in wait times in priority areas. It will be
critically important to have a nursing perspective reflected in our policy
decisions as we move forward with a number of initiatives including health human
resource planning and primary health care renewal," said Minister Sullivan.
Ms. Ludlow holds a bachelor of nursing and masters of nursing from Memorial
University of Newfoundland and an acute care nurse practitioner certificate. As
a practicing nurse for over 30 years, Ms. Ludlow�s professional career has
spanned all domains of nursing including education, administration, practice and
research. Ms. Ludlow has served as an administrator with Nunavut Arctic College
in Iqaluit, Nunavut, gaining valuable experience working with aboriginal
populations. Her knowledge in other jurisdictions, particularly in the delivery
of services in rural and remote areas will be an asset in her new position.
Ms. Ludlow will be responsible for providing leadership, strategic advice and
nursing expertise on a wide range of provincial health policies and programs and
specific nursing issues including recruitment and retention, the development of
clinical practice guidelines.
Leaders in the nursing community have been very supportive of the chief nurse
position and are pleased that the position has been filled.
"This is an exciting day for nurses in this province," said Sandra MacDonald,
president of the Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador (ARNNL).
"As the governing body of the practice of nursing in the province, ARNNL looks
forward to working in conjunction with the new chief nurse to ensure that high
quality nursing services continue to be provided to patients."
"We are very pleased to see that government has fulfilled its commitment. This
is a positive step forward for nursing in this province," said Debbie Forward,
president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Nurses Union (NLNU). "The role of the
chief nurse is to provide a strong voice on nursing issues within government.
The NLNU is confident that the strategic advice provided by the chief nurse will
be an immediate asset to the department and to the nursing profession in
Newfoundland and Labrador."
"The appointment of a chief nurse is a progressive move for the nursing
profession in this province," said Paul Fisher, executive director of the
Council for Licensed Practical Nurses. "Issues regarding licensed practical
nurses are extremely important to the future direction of our health care
system. In our changing health system, it is important that the concerns of all
nurses are voiced as we move towards the reform and renewal of health care."
The appointment marks the beginning of National Nurses Week with a theme of
Nursing: Patients First, Safety Always. Newfoundland and Labrador has over 8,000
practising members of the nursing profession, representing one of the largest
groups of healthcare providers in the province.
Media contact: Carolyn Chaplin, Communications, (709) 729-1377, 682-5093
2005 05 09
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