Ontario is looking at giving several types of health professionals more authority, including allowing psychologists to prescribe anti-depressants and letting pharmacists administer strep throat tests, but the province's doctors are pushing back.
Health Minister Sylvia Jones said in a statement that expanding the scopes of practice for health professionals will ease pressures on other parts of the system, such as primary care.
"Across our province, qualified health-care professionals are ready to contribute more to their communities, ensuring doctors' offices and emergency departments are available for those who truly need them," she wrote.