Alberta Invests $15 Million in Nurse Practitioner Program to Address Primary Care Gaps

The Alberta government has announced a new $15 million investment in a nurse practitioner program aimed at addressing gaps in primary health care access across the province. The Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Program will allow nurse practitioners to set up their own clinics or work alongside existing primary care clinics, with the goal of increasing health care capacity and providing more Albertans with access to a regular primary care provider.

Under the new program, eligible nurse practitioners will receive approximately 80% of the funding given to family physicians, with the exact amount depending on the number of patients they see and the number of patient care hours provided. To qualify, nurse practitioners must commit to caring for at least 900 patients, accept walk-ins, and operate their clinics during evenings, weekends, and holidays. The program also includes a one-time incentive of $75 per patient after reaching the 900-patient mark and $10,000 in one-time mentorship funding for clinics, communities, and primary care networks that partner with nurse practitioners.

Why this matters: With an estimated 700,000 Albertans currently without a family physician, this program aims to help address the province's struggles in accessing primary care services. By enabling nurse practitioners to work independently through the publicly funded system, the government hopes to increase health care capacity and take pressure off the rest of the health system.

The Alberta government aims to have 50 nurse practitioners participating in the program this year, potentially serving around 45,000 patients. The program will be reviewed in five years to ensure it is meeting primary care needs, and there will be an audit process for accountability. "This plan offers an opportunity to remove obstacles," said Anne Summach, president of the Nurse Practitioner Association of Alberta. "There are not enough family doctors in the province to provide primary care, and nurse practitioners can help fill that gap."

While the Alberta Medical Association has expressed concerns about the potential for the program to lead to nurse practitioners working independently without collaborating with family-medicine physicians, which could result in increased testing, consultations, and resource use, the government believes this investment will help address the pressing need for improved access to primary care in Alberta. The program is set to run for a minimum of five years and will be subject to regular reviews to ensure its effectiveness in supporting the health care needs of Albertans.

Key Takeaways

• Alberta invests $15M in nurse practitioner program to improve primary care access.
• Eligible nurse practitioners can set up clinics, receive 80% of family doctor funding.
• Program aims to serve 45,000 patients through 50 nurse practitioners this year.
• Program subject to 5-year review to ensure it meets primary care needs in Alberta.
• Alberta Medical Association expresses concerns about independent nurse practitioner work.