Nurse Practitioners' Association of Ontario Applauds Minister Hoskins's Bold and Ambitious Plan

Patients First - Ground-Breaking Discussion Paper Released Today

TORONTO, Dec. 18, 2015 /CNW/ - The Nurse Practitioners' Association of Ontario applauds Minister Hoskins for a bold and ambitious plan for system transformation. "Much has been accomplished, but there is more work to be done," says Theresa Agnew, Executive Director of the NPAO. "We look forward to engaging in a robust consultation process on this important discussion paper. Collectively, we strive to achieve equity, so that all Ontarians have timely access to integrated health care services, including home care and primary care teams. We will continue to support the Ministry in its goal to design health care services that truly meet the needs of communities throughout Ontario."

Today, 94% of Ontarians have a regular family physician or Nurse Practitioner that they see when they need health care. However, many patients cannot access their primary care provider in a timely manner. According to Wendy McKay, President of NPAO, "Nurse Practitioner Led Clinics, for example, have increased access to high quality health care and by growing these clinics more Ontarians will have access to care in the future. This is important as our population increases and ages." Currently there are 25 NPLCs that serve over 60,000 patients many of whom have chronic diseases and complicated health issues. More health care teams like NPLCs are needed to meet the care needs for those who need it most. The Minister's plan builds on these clinics so that patients will continue to have choice.

Minister Hoskins has committed to patients receiving the right care, closest to home that meets the needs of diverse populations. Moving accountability of the system to the LHIN level will help achieve this goal, using accurate data and with clinicians who know the patients best involved in decision-making.

We know that NPs regardless of where they work will continue to deliver excellent care to patients in home and community care as health system transformation takes place. NPAO will continue to be engaged and provide advice as these changes take place to ensure NPs continue to be integrated into the system. For NPs, patients always come first!

NPAO is the professional voice for over 2600 Nurse Practitioners in Ontario. Our mission is to achieve full integration of Nurse Practitioners to ensure accessible, high quality health care for all.

NPs provide services to the people of Ontario across the health care system in variety of settings including community clinics, hospitals, long-term care homes and in patient's homes. NPs practice in inter-professional team with a broad range of health care providers. NPs independently diagnose illness and health care conditions, prescribe drugs, and order x-rays and laboratory tests for their patients. NPs can also admit and treat patients in hospitals and long-term care homes.

SOURCE Nurse Practitioners' Association of Ontario

please contact Theresa Agnew, Executive Director at [email protected] or (416) 417 - 1803