ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The Telegram
@StJohnsTelegram
The group representing doctors in the province has applauded the opening of a new collaborative clinic in St. John’s that’s designed for patients who don’t currently have a family doctor.
“This model allows for continuity of care, a common patient record and the opportunity to become attached to a practice over time,” Dr. Charlene Fitzgerald, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association (NLMA), said in a statement Thursday. “It also supports team-based collaboration between providers, including family physicians and nurse practitioners.”
Fitzgerald said the model mirrors a similar non-emergent clinic set up by Central Health. One of the doctors involved in that clinic is Dr. Lynette Powell, president-elect of the NLMA.
The NLMA was less pleased earlier this month when the government announced plans to establish virtual walk-in clinics under the 811 health line system. Powell said that service would only serve to fragment health care in the province.
“The NLMA will be recommending to government that similar co-ordination and comprehensive care characteristics should be integrated with the new 811 virtual walk-in service,” Powell said Thursday. “We also continue to call on government to enable family physician community practices to expand to a team-based model with registered nurses and nurse practitioners, which will allow clinics to take on more unattached patients, increase access and provide better quality care for patients.”
The new clinic is on Elizabeth Avenue and has already begun accepting calls to arrange for appointments.
“Opening this clinic is one of the ways Eastern Health is improving access to primary care providers for individuals throughout the region who had previously been unable to find a permanent family doctor,” said president and CEO David Diamond.
Patients without a family doctor will be registered with the new clinic. Once registered, the patient will be given a telephone appointment with one of the nurses, who will complete a health history and schedule the patient for a follow-up appointment with a physician or nurse practitioner. Follow-up appointments may be either by telephone or in person.
Health Minister Dr. John Haggie also weighed in on the news, saying the clinic reflects a more modern approach to health care.
“Collaborative models like this one deliver the best health outcomes for people and greater satisfaction for health care providers,” he said.
Patients who are interested in registering with this new clinic can call 709-752-4747 from 4-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
