Provincial program sees 33 more independent nurse practitioners added to roster

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on November 22, 2024.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

The Nurse Practitioner Primary Care program has gotten a promising start, with 33 nurse practitioners already practising independently across the province.

A release from the Government of Alberta gave an update on an announcement from earlier this year, which allowed nurse practitioners to practise comprehensive patient care autonomously, either by operating their own practices or working independently within existing primary care settings.

This was part of an initiative to allow more Albertans to receive the primary care they need with the ongoing lack of capacity among Alberta doctors, as many people in the province do not have a family doctor.

Since being announced, the program has garnered a promising response, says the province. A total of 67 applications have been submitted, with 56 approved and 33 already practicing.

“I am thrilled about the interest in this program, as nurse practitioners are a key part of the solution to provide Albertans with greater access to the primary health care services they need,” Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said in a release.

Participating nurse practitioners must work a set number of hours of medically necessary primary care services, as well as maintain a panel of 900 patients and offer after-hours access on weekends, evenings or holidays.

In theory, about 30,000 more Albertans will gain access to primary health care from the 33 working applicants, including in rural locations such as Coaldale. Once the remaining 23 approved applicants begin practising, primary health-care access will expand to almost 21,000 more Albertans.

“The NPAA wishes to thank the Alberta government for recognizing the vital role NPs play in the health care system,” said Jennifer Mador, president of the Nurse Practitioner Association of Alberta. “Nurse practitioners have long advocated to operate their own practices and are ready to meet the growing health-care needs of Albertans. This initiative will ensure that more people receive the timely and comprehensive care they deserve.”

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