BARRIE - Ontario is treating Barrie’s physician shortage with nurse practitioners.
A new nurse-practitioner clinic will open in Georgian College’s $65.5-million health and wellness building in 2011, Premier Dalton McGuinty announced at the college today.
“We have never taken our foot off the gas pedal in helping Ontario’s families get more health care. We have family health teams and now nurse-practitioner clinics,” McGuinty said.
McGuinty told Georgian College officials, supporters and students the province is leading the way by delivering health care affordably and conveniently. The Barrie clinic is one of 25 nurse practitioner clinics that will open over the next three years.
“We have expanded the scope of practice for our nurse practitioners. They can diagnose a patient’s condition, prescribe medicine, cast a fracture, order X-rays, MRIs and CT scans.
If you were to hurt yourself playing hockey and if you’re not sure whether you broke that ankle or sprained it, you can hobble to the clinic, see a nurse practitioner and get an X-ray.
“Instead of a family bringing a child into emerg with a sore throat, they can be seen and get the required prescription (from this new clinic). It is convenience. It means not having to go to the emergency room, which is expensive,” he said. “This is the future of primary health care, which is integrated and focused on patients. Our health care is more convenient and more affordable.”
Last in town July 7 to bring $1.6 million to help Georgian buy new, specialized equipment, including simulated babies to give nursing students more practical experience, McGuinty didn’t bring any cash this time although college officials were just as delighted with today’s announcement.
“With the news today, Georgian will be on the leading edge again, of health and wellness,” said Dr. Liz Erwin, the associate dean of the college’s school of health and wellness.
Health Minister Deb Matthews added Ontario understands the challenges a growing, young city such as Barrie faces.
“There are other vehicles that will be better for a community like Barrie, such as the family health teams, health-care connect and the nurse-practitioner clinics," Matthews said. “We’re taking a very holistic approach (to treating Ontario’s doctor shortage). Every nurse practitioner clinic is attached to a physician, who will be called in for consultations.”
Meanwhile, the province is continuing to review the underserviced area program, a move some local politicians fear could reduce incentives for doctors to settle in Barrie.
“It’s been around a long time and it’s not doing what we’d like it to do,” Matthews said, adding the new nurse practitioner clinic will give 5,000 more residents better access to health care.
Through health care connect, more than 24,000 Ontarians have been linked with a doctor or nurse practitioner. To access it, call 1-800-445-1822 or online at https://hcc.hcc.moh.gov.on.ca/HCCCommunicationManager.
Today's Weather 
Light snow and -10°C
Light snow and -10°C
