Nurse practitioners have post-graduate education. (Pexels/Laura James)

By Eli J. Ridder | @EliRidder

HEALTH CARE

Alberta allows nurse practitioners to open clinics, take on patients

Nov 22, 2023 | 10:34 AM

EDMONTON, AB – Nurse practitioners are now able to open their own clinics and take on patients as part of Alberta’s efforts to expand primary care.

These nurses have completed graduate studies and can provide about 80 per cent of the medical services a family physician provides.

Premier Danielle Smith said the changes will allow Albertans to have more access to care as the Alberta government announced the changes Wednesday.

“Nurse practitioners are highly trained and valued medical professionals,” Smith said during a news conference.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

“By enabling them to open their own clinics, we are ensuring Albertans can more easily access the care they need.”

Armed with a $2 million grant from the government, the Nurse Practitioner Association of Alberta will help to implement a compensation model, recruit other nurse practitioners and provide supports as the nurses set up clinics.

The move to enable nurses to open clinics brings Alberta in line with other provinces like Ontario, where nurse practitioner-led clinics have existed since 2007.

“There is no doubt about it, we need more health professionals providing primary health care to Albertans,” Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said.

“Nurse practitioners are skilled health care professionals who play vital roles in modern health care. This model has the potential to add capacity in communities across the province and help so many Albertans gain access to a regular primary care provider.”

The new compensation model will be phased in and is expected to launch in early 2024 when nurse practitioners who want to go into independent practice will be asked to submit expressions of interest.

The model is expected to include payment for a specified number of clinical hours and other commitments, such as caring for a certain number of patients.

Nurse practitioners who opt into the compensation model will also qualify for caseload supports once their patient caseloads are established, as announced on Oct. 18.

The three-year $57-million support program will help primary health care providers manage an increasing number of patients.

Each provider has the potential to receive up to $10,000 annually.

The premier is due to make an announcement later Wednesday in Medicine Hat but the topic of the news conference has not been released.