FOUR NURSE PRACTITIONERS APPROVED
FOR LEEDS-GRENVILLE
BROCKVILLE – Residents in Leeds-Grenville
will soon receive improved access to primary
care services with the addition of four new
nurse practitioners, MPP Bob Runciman announced
today on behalf of Health and Long-Term Care
Minister Tony Clement.
Runciman is delighted with the news. He is
an enthusiastic proponent of increased involvement
of nurse practitioners (NP) in Ontario’s
primary health care system.
“These new nurse practitioners will play
a vital role in increasing access to primary
health care services in Leeds-Grenville,”
adds Runciman.
Last fall, the Eve Government announced funding
of $11 million for 117 new nurse practitioners.
Health service agencies in Leeds-Grenville were
invited to submit applications for the four
nurse practitioner positions allotted to the
twin counties.
Runciman said funding for nurse practitioners
has been awarded to the St. Lawrence District
Medical Health Centre in Lansdowne, the Athens
District Health Centre, the Brockville General
Hospital, the Brockville-Leeds-Grenville Branch
of the Victorian Order of Nurses.
The MPP said the government is committed to
increasing the number of nurse practitioners
in the province and said further funding announcements
can be expected in the future. The Throne speech
promised that by 2005, Ontario will have created
750 NP positions.
Working closely with doctors and other professionals,
nurse practitioners play an essential role in
providing health care services and health information
that help people lead healthier lives.
Runciman is particularly pleased two of the
nurse practitioners are going to rural community
health centres.
“The health centres in Lansdowne and
Athens have a long record of providing health
service to people in their areas,” he
said. “These nurse practitioners will
help them do their job better.”
Runciman praised the work of the local volunteer
boards that have worked long and hard to maintain
the centres for their citizens.
