Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics (NPLC) were established in Ontario in 2005 in response to the high numbers of unattached patients seeking access to primary care services. Ontario’s first NPLC model opened in Sudbury, and since then, this innovative approach has empowered NPs as healthcare leaders, policy makers, Board members, community leaders and Primary Care Providers (PCPs). The leadership demonstrated from NPs has facilitated the expansion of NPLCs across Ontario, significantly enhancing population health outcomes and contributing to stakeholder engagement at local, provincial and national levels.
NPLCs are publicly funded not-for profit interprofessional primary health care teams. While the team composition may appear similar to other models such as Aboriginal Health Access Centres (AHACs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Family Health Teams (FHTs), the distinctive leadership of NPs and the nursing foundation of care set NPLCs apart.
NPs as PCPs
In the NPLC model, all staff are salaried and publicly funded, ensuring that PCPs prioritize effective clinical care. This structure eliminates financial conflicts of interest and establishes a collaborative environment with diminished hierarchies, placing patients at the centre of care. NPs are integral to the model’s governance and strategy, leveraging their extensive clinical experience to drive community development and lead innovative collaborative service delivery, particularly for equity deserving populations.
NPLCs have consistently demonstrated that a strong NP perspective guiding both day-to-day service delivery and longer-term strategy not only yields success but also results in excellent opportunities for growth in scale and spread, both locally and nationally. Interprofessional team members within NPLCs are encouraged and empowered to work to their full scope of practice, maximizing program effectiveness and community services. NPLCs are committed to advanced access, equity, quality and data-driven approaches that exceed provincial standards.
Defining Characteristics:
- ♦  Publicly funded, Not-for-profit
- ♦  Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, with at least 51% NP representation where possible
- ♦  NP Clinical and Executive Leadership, including a NP Executive Director
- ♦  Interprofessional team-based care
