The Provincial Government is launching a nurse practitioner funding pilot that will help increase access to primary health care.
As part of the pilot, participating nurse practitioners who provide services outside the provincial health authority will be compensated by the Provincial Government to provide medically necessary services to ensure that patients will no longer be required to pay for those services.
The pilot project is based on Health Accord NL recommendations to ensure all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador are connected to a primary care provider.
- Details of the pilot project:
- Nurse practitioners will be considered independent contractors.
- Remuneration equivalent to public sector nurse practitioners in addition to funding to offset business costs such as equipment, clinic space, supplies, and administrative support for 1,950 hours of services per year, of which 1,660 must involve direct patient care.
- Scaled funding for increased direct patient care hours with corresponding increases to patient rostering.
- Nurse practitioners will be the primary care provider for 700-800 patients with flexibility with roster size to offer episodic care to attached patients.
- Prorated options are available.
- Nurse practitioners will provide a combination of scheduled and same day appointments.
- Electronic Medical Record will be covered.
- Affiliation agreements with family care teams in the vicinity of each clinic.
- Commitment for ongoing evaluation to inform a more robust funding model subsequent to the pilot phase.
The pilot project will be open to nurse practitioners in all regions of the province. The Department of Health and Community Services anticipates the launch of the pilot in the coming months. More details for nurse practitioners on how to participate will be provided at that time.
Patients who do not have access to a primary care provider such as a family physician or a nurse practitioner can register to be seen at the family care team clinic through the Patient Connect NL website at https://patientconnect.nlchi.nl.ca/ or via phone at 1-833-913-4679.
To date, 21 family care teams are operational in the province and more than 100,000 people in Newfoundland and Labrador are now connected to family care teams. As of May 2025, there are 351 nurse practitioners licensed in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Quotes
“Nurse practitioners are a valuable part of how people receive health care. In many areas of the province, they are the sole primary care providers. This funding model pilot project will help us ensure even more residents can receive medically necessary primary care in a public health care system without having to pay out of pocket.”
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“Nurse practitioners are helping ensure people receive primary care in all regions of the province by diagnosing, treating, prescribing and, where necessary, referring to other services. The pilot project means that patients who rely on nurse practitioners outside of the provincial health authority will no longer have to pay out-of-pocket for medically necessary services, which will help ensure they get the care they need.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Health and Community Services
“For the first time in this province, nurse practitioners in independent practice will be able to provide primary health care without patients having to pay out-of-pocket. This means more access to primary health care providers for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Newfoundland and Labrador Nurse Practitioner Association is proud to have collaborated with government to ensure nurse practitioners are recognized for their vital role in providing equitable access to care across our province.”
Jessica Peddle, President
Newfoundland and Labrador Nurse Practitioner Association
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