Access to primary care resources has been enhanced with the addition of six new nurse practitioners across the province, says Minister of Health and Wellness Doug Currie.
“The provision of quality and timely health care for all Islanders is a key government priority, and the addition of these new professionals brings numerous benefits to our health system,” said Minister Currie. “Nurse practitioners improve access to quality health care and reduce wait times, and their inclusion in the health system leads to a greater number of health-care options and enhanced care for our patients.”
The province currently has five nurse practitioners in primary care, the earliest beginning in 2006. Since that time, the province has been working diligently to provide more opportunities for nurse practitioners to work in the Island’s health care system.
In September 2011, the University of Prince Edward Island, with the support of the Province of Prince Edward Island, established a Masters of Nursing Program - Nurse Practitioner stream. The first three graduates are among the six new NPs who have accepted positions and will be working in Prince Edward Island in collaboration with family physicians. In December 2012, the Province of Prince Edward Island expanded the role of nurse practitioners, and Health PEI began a pilot project to allow NPs to take on an independent caseload of patients while still collaborating with family physicians. The pilot commenced in early 2013 with a single NP in the Charlottetown area.
Nurse practitioners are in high demand across the country. With the addition of these six new NPs, the province will have 11 nurse practitioners in primary care.
“Nurse practitioners help to ensure that every Islander has access to primary health care services close to home,” said Marilyn Barrett, Director, Primary Care Networks and Chronic Disease Prevention and Management.
These six new health professionals will be located across the province – two in West Prince (currently based out of O’Leary, but providing services in Tignish, Alberton and Tyne Valley); one in East Prince (Harbourside Medical Centre); one in Queens West (Sherwood Medical Centre); one in Queens East (Boardwalk Professional Centre); and one in Kings County (Montague/Murray River).
“Nurse practitioners are an integral part of our strategy to provide better access and better care to all Islanders,” said Minister Currie. “I am very pleased to welcome these new nurse practitioners to primary care networks across Prince Edward Island and our integrated health system.”