Nurse practitioners in B.C. can now assess mental health patients, taking some responsibilities away from doctors.

The changes to the mental health act are aimed at freeing up space in emergency departments.

With these changes, someone in crisis can be admitted to a designated mental-health facility for up to 48 hours.

“This is about ensuring we have the resources in our emergency rooms so that our health-care practitioners can take that handoff from a police officer and get that individual into the appropriate care.”, said Jennifer Whiteside, B.C.’s mental health and addictions minister.

Health Minister, Adrian Dix, says allowing nurse practitioners to complete medical certificates for involuntary admission of individuals to mental-health facilities will prevent delays in access to mental-health care for many in the province.

In the instances when police officers bring individuals in crisis to the hospital, this change will enable officers to transfer the individual to care faster. That would allow police officers to minimize their time in waiting rooms and spend more time helping keep communities safe.