FAQ

A primary health care nurse practitioner (NP) has a similar scope of practice as a family doctor.  An NP can take a full history, examine patients, order diagnostic testing and provide a medical diagnosis and treatment plan. He/she can order any laboratory tests and prescribe any medications based upon his/her level of knowledge, skill and judgement. The following is a list of diagnostic tests NPs can order: x-rays, ultrasound, ECGs in non-urgent, non-acute circumstances, spirometry, stress tests, sleep studies, holter monitors, loop recorders and pulmonary function tests. They are not currently allowed to order CT scans, MRIs or nuclear medicine procedures. If these latter tests are required, the collaborating physician will order them. NPs can make referrals to all specialists.

Nurse practitioners in Ontario can be paid one of three ways:
(1) They can have access to funding through the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. These positions are usually located in hospitals, community health centres, family health teams and long-term care homes.
(2) They can be paid directly by the hiring physician out of pocket, or
(3) They can receive a salary from a practice that capitates patients. So, the more patients who are rostered, the more money the NP can be paid for taking care of the patients assigned to him/her.

Once you have signed up as a patient, the physician is receiving money from the government to take care of you. You have the choice of going to see the NP at 551 Ontario Street during opening hours, or if a medical problem arises after hours, you can go to the after-hours clinic at 21 Front Street in Thorold on Monday, Tuesdays and Thursdays between 5:00 -7:30 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. At present, due to COVID-19, you should call 905-688-6460 first. If you need medical attention and both places are closed, you can make your way to any Emergency Department. If you go to a walk-in clinic, the physician, whom you’ve rostered under, is charged by the government to cover the cost of any billings the other physician submitted. This adds up quickly and becomes unaffordable.

In the event you do not roster as a patient and are paying for the NP’s services, you can go anywhere you would like as long as the NP receives a report from the facility where you received medical treatment. This is to ensure she has all the necessary information required to provide optimal health care.