Thousands set to benefit from greater access to health care

TORONTO , Nov. 27 /CNW/ - People across Ontario will see improved access to primary care thanks to a government announcement that will fund seven additional Nurse Practitioner (NP)-led clinics.

"We are thrilled with today's news," says Doris Grinspun, executive director of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO), who attended the media conference held by Minister of Health Deb Matthews . "The real winners are the people in these communities who will soon benefit from the expertise of NPs because they will finally get the access that many others are still waiting for."

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced education and decision-making competencies in assessment, diagnosis, treatment and health-care promotion. They have legislative authority to treat common illnesses and injuries, manage chronic diseases, prescribe medications, and order a variety of lab and diagnostic tests, including x-rays and ultrasounds.

"This is a day to be especially proud of the work these skilled professionals are doing and the contribution they are making," says Wendy Fucile , president of RNAO adding "NP-led clinics are a made-in-Ontario innovation that will play a key role in the delivery and transformation of primary care for years to come."

The clinics will be located in the communities of Oshawa, Belleville, Essex, Glengarry South, Oro Station and French River, as well as a second clinic in Thunder Bay that will serve the needs of the Aboriginal population. These are in addition to four announced earlier this year in Belle River , Sault Ste. Marie, Barrie and Thunder Bay. Fourteen more are expected to be announced in 2010. The first NP-led clinic opened its door in Sudbury in the summer of 2007.

"Today's investment in NP-led clinics demonstrates the government's commitment to high quality primary health care for Ontarians. These clinics are a wonderful model to showcase NPs, family physicians, registered nurses and other health-care professionals working in partnership with patients," says Paula Carere, president of the Nurse Practitioners' Association of Ontario (NPAO).

The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) is the professional association representing registered nurses wherever they practise in Ontario. Since 1925, RNAO has lobbied for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses' contribution to shaping the health-care system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public they serve.

The Nurse Practitioners' Association of Ontario (NPAO) is the professional association representing nurse practitioners in Ontario since 1973. NPAO is an expert group of RNAO for issues related to nurse practitioner practice. NPAO's mission is to achieve full integration of Nurse Practitioners to ensure accessible, high quality health care for Ontarians.

For more information about RNAO, visit our website at www.rnao.org. You can also check out our Facebook page at www.rnao.org/facebook and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/rnao.

For further information: Marion Zych, Director of Communications, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO), Phone: [phone] ext 209, Cellular: [phone] OR Jill-Marie Burke, Communications Officer, RNAO, [phone], 1-800-268-7199 ext 250