Alberta nurse practitioners' access expansion proving successful. Monkey Business Images/Dreamstime.com

By Jayk Sterkenburg

HEALTH CARE

‘Great news for rural Alberta’: Nurse practitioners new program proving successful

Nov 20, 2024 | 11:47 AM

The Alberta government says the number of nurse practitioners have seen an increase in rural Alberta since the province launched its new primary care program.

““I am thrilled about the interest in this program,” said health minister Adriana LaGrange in a statement Wednesday.

The Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Program, which grants autonomous practice of comprehensive patient care by nurses, was initiated in April of this year.

It allows nurses to work independently within existing primary care settings, or even run their own practices.

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There has been a total of 67 applicants and 56 have been accepted so far, an encouraging sign, officials say.

Of those authorized, 33 nurse practitioners are now able to practice autonomously in communities throughout Alberta.

Rural locations such as Three Hills, Picture Butte, Coaldale, Beaverlodge, Cold Lake, and even Consort — with a population of 661 as of 2023 — are included on a list where nurses now practice.

“Nurse practitioners are a key part of the solution to provide Albertans with greater access to the primary health care services they need,” LaGrange said.

In order to participate in the program, nurse practitioners must meet a determined list of criteria:

—Commit to providing a set number of hours of medically necessary primary care services

—Maintain a panel size of at least 900 patients

—Offer after-hours access on weekends, evenings, or holidays

—Accept walk-in appointments until a panel size reaches 900 patients

As of this spring, more than 700,000 Albertans were without a family doctor. The program’s execution was intended by the province to reach those numbers.

“Nurse practitioners have long advocated to operate their own practices and are ready to meet the growing health care needs of Albertans,” said Jennifer Mador, president of the NPAA.

“This initiative will ensure that more people receive the timely and comprehensive care they deserve,” she added.

Through the new program, nurse practitioners now receive 80 per cent of what family doctors are compensated for providing comprehensive primary care.

Participating practitioners in eligible communities for the Rural, Remote and Northern Program will be provided funding — an incentive to practice in rural or remote areas.

Chelsae Petrovic, parliamentary secretary for health workforce engagement, said that nurse practitioners are an invaluable part of our health care system.

“The Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Program is the right step to ensuring all Albertans can receive care where and when they need it,” she said.

For the second consecutive year, a record number of registrants renewed their permits with the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta.

A 15-per-cent increase in nurse practitioners was recorded. The new program will only further encourage those practicing, thanks to the government’s commitment.