Dr. Paul Parks says pulling nurse practitioners from already existing teams could throw the health care system off. (CHAT News)

By Eli J. Ridder | @EliRidder

Fragile System

Critics say Alberta’s plan to allow nurse practitioner-led clinics could throw health care into disarray

Nov 24, 2023 | 11:10 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Pulling nurse practitioners away from already existing primary care clinics or hospitals could imbalance the health care system, say critics of the Alberta government’s move to allow those nurses to open their own clinics.

“Right now, the system’s very fragile and little minor changes could throw it off balance,” Dr. Paul Parks, president of the Alberta Medical Association, told CHAT News.

“If the effect of this announcement is to move a whole bunch of nurse practitioners that are already working in primary care clinics and in hospital and move them out and go into independent practice…that would be a bad thing.”

Nurse practitioners 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.

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

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

While the ruling United Conservatives insist opening up the doors for nurse practitioners will grow primary care access, the opposition New Democrats say it will not change the status of health care in Alberta.

“There is nothing in today’s announcement that will help any primary care professional serve a single more Albertan any time soon,” NDP health critic David Shepherd said in a statement.

“At a time when other provinces have taken substantial action, Danielle Smith and Minister LaGrange have done next to nothing to support family doctors currently in the province, and have failed at attracting new physicians here.”

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.

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