Being without a family physician can be challenging, so nurse practitioner clinics are filling the gap and helping with that issue.
In Sudbury, two of those clinics are managing over 600 new patients right now.
Bryan Orser lives in Whitefish. He was left with no family doctor ten years ago and he's been going to a nurse practitioner clinic ever since.
“They address every issue when you are in here, not just one specific issue at a time. You get a good, overall look at what's going on with your health when you are here.” said Orser.
There are two nurse practitioner clinics in the Sudbury area that are taking new patients, one is located on Riverside Drive in Sudbury and the other is in Lively. Both clinics offer a wide array of services and you can apply in-person or by online application.
“We have a dietician. We have a social worker, a pharmacist, a registered nurse. We provide foot care, we provide immunizations and we have several programs.” said Nurse Practitioner Kim Demers.
Sudbury Nurse Practitioner Clinics Executive Director Jennifer Clement says they are able to spend a bit more time with patients.
“So our minimum visit is a half hour, so we are able to focus on the whole aspect, rather than just one issue at a time.” said Clement.
In the last 10 years, the Ministry Of Health has opened nurse practitioner clinics in Ontario to help orphan patients, those with no family doctor.
“We know that Sudbury has been designated an area of need for healthcare services, according to the Ministry Of Health.” said Clement.
The Executive Director says she hopes the intake of new patients can help ease the burden on the emergency department with non-urgent visits and also take some pressure off walk-in clinics.
