Orillia nurse practitioner-led clinic proposal awaits green light from province
The creators behind an Orillia nurse practitioner-led clinic proposal are anxiously awaiting approval from the province one year after bringing it forward.
Three nurse practitioners are trying to bring Ontario's 26th nurse practitioner-led clinic to Orillia and say momentum is building after recent talks with the province, but they have yet to find an agreement for funding.
"We're actively hopeful that we'll see some funding that will come shortly," said nurse practitioner Janet Greaves. "Recently, Health Minister Sylvia Jones said she has reconsidered and views it as an innovation, which is a positive step from where we were last year."
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Greaves is joined by nurse practitioners Nicole McDonald and Cathy Suppa in pushing for the funding agreement.
A location has already been chosen for when it is approved, a medical building located at 169 Front Street South, also known as The Common Roof.
The Common Roof in Orillia, Ont., is the proposed location for a nurse practitioner-led clinic. (CTV News/Christian D'Avino)
The three say the clinic is needed to ease the burden that Orillia is facing, with primary care at its tipping point in the city.
"There are 15,000 patients that are unattached, and there are six physicians that are set to retire this year and next year," said Nicole McDonald. "We can offer care in a similar way to a physician-led clinic. What is different is the economics. Nurse practitioners are a very cost-efficient way to provide primary care."
Last week, nurses from the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) met at Queen's Park to review some of their requests for improving care in Ontario.
Part of that was discussing the approval for Orillia's clinic.
"I took away a lack of sense of urgency, which is concerning to us," said Dr. Doris Grinspun, RNAO CEO. "We were looking for the green light, we thought we would get the green light, and we are still waiting, and that's unacceptable to us."
A statement from the province said it has committed to adding 150 new education seats for nurse practitioners this year and has advanced the necessary steps to allow registered nurses to prescribe.
These are commended by Dr. Grinspun, as well as for a changing attitude when it comes to the clinic. However, the statement from the province did not directly mention the proposal in Orillia.
Meanwhile, should funding be approved, Greaves said they could realistically have the clinic operational within a few months.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.