Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics

What services do NPLCs provide to patients?

Patients who register with a NPLC will have access to comprehensive primary health care. Clinics provide care when patients are ill as well as a range of health services that help individuals and families maintain or improve their overall health. Typical of other primary care delivery models programs and services include annual physicals, episodic illness care, falls prevention programs for older persons, immunizations, smoking cessation, injury prevention and monitoring and management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, asthma ,heart disease and mental health conditions.

Who provides care to patients?

Interprofessional teams provide care to patients. Patients are registered with the clinic and not to an individual health-care provider.  Core primary health care services are provided by a nurse practitioner. In addition to Nurse Practitioners, other professionals on the team may include physicians, registered nurses, social workers, pharmacists, dieticians, mental health workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists or others. Depending on individual needs, patients have access to care from any member of the team. The design of each team is based on community and patient requirements. Referrals to medical specialists are sought as needed.

Are Nurse Practitioner Led Clinics similar to walk-in clinics?

No. NPLCs provide comprehensive health care over the course of the life time for patients. Patients must register to the clinic and receive their routine primary health care from the clinic.

How do these clinics fit with government priorities for primary health care?

NPLCs are a key component of the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care’s new family health-care strategy. Nurse Practitioner led clinics are designed to improve access to primary health care and reduce the number of patients without a health-care provider.

How is a Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic different from other models of care?

NPLCs provide the same comprehensive family health-care services as other family practice models. The key difference is that Nurse Practitioner leadership at all levels of the organization (e.g., governance, clinical practice and day to day operations) is embedded into the structure of the organization and patient care. This brings the comprehensive perspective of nurses, especially the focus on wellbeing, health promotion and disease prevention, to the day-to-day delivery of care for patients. In this model, nurse practitioners and registered nurses work to their full scope of practice.

What is the governance model for NPLC?

A non-profit governing board has overall responsibility and accountability for the clinic, to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and to the community. The board of directors is comprised of a mix of nurse practitioners, other health care professionals and community members.  51 % NP representation on the board of directors is suggested by NPLC leaders and the NPAO.

How are these clinics funded?

Funding for the clinics is provided by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. NPs working on these clinics are paid a salary and do not work on a fee for service basis.

What are the benefits of NPLCs?

NPLCs are part of the government’s family health care strategy and were implemented to increase access to primary health care for patients without a regular primary care provider. These clinics are founded in a nursing model with the patient as partner in the care process and there is an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention.  This model has increased awareness of the NP role with the public, stakeholders and the media.

Is there a clinic near me?

NPLCs are all across Ontario. Please use the map below to find a location closest to you: