More power to them: health care professionals across Ontario could soon have privileges normally afforded only to doctors.

Premier Dalton McGuinty is expected to introduce the proposed legislation at Queen's Park on Monday.

Under the new bill, pharmacists could soon renew prescriptions and physiotherapists would be able to order X-rays.

"By using the human resources we have, we can provide Ontarians with the health care they need safely, quickly and in more places. Our health care professionals are talented and skilled. It's time to expand their duties to match their qualifications and training. It will mean a more rewarding experience for them, and for all of us," McGuinty noted.

The bill, called Regulated Health Professions Statute Law Amendment Act, 2009, is part of a strategy to reduce wait times - both for an appointment with a doctor, and at the hospital. It's hoped that the new powers will allow many patients to avoid emergency rooms.

And it would help the 850,000 people in the province that don't have a family doctor.

Other regulated professions, such nurse practitioners, dieticians, midwives, respiratory therapists and even dentists, will also be affected by the changes.

The act would also improve patient safety and strengthen the health care system by: 

• Requiring health colleges to work together to develop common standards of knowledge, skill and judgment in areas where their professions may provide the same or similar services.
• Making team based care a key component of health college quality assurance programs which ensure the ongoing competence of registered health professionals.
• Requiring all regulated health professionals to have professional liability insurance.
• Creating a process to ensure new drug prescribing powers are used in the safest possible manner.