A new clinic was born in record time

The health system is notorious for its inertia; However, the first specialty nurse practitioner (SNP) clinic is moving things in Montreal and fast.

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On Thursday, Montreal’s first specialty nurse practitioner clinic will open. That’s one of the ideas proposed by twenty or so experts from Christian Dube’s Crisis Unit to unclog emergency rooms.

However, staffing problem is a major challenge for this initiative. Initially, nurses from other clinics worked overtime in the evenings and weekends.

A new clinic would actually weaken the existing network, displacing existing resources.

The Minister of Health, Christian Dubey, wanted to provide reassurance when he visited the specialist nurse practitioner clinic.

“The IPS made the decision to do this, they are willing to give a few more hours, the time we can reorganize the right staff in the right place,” explained Health Minister Christian Dubey.

Ultimately three permanent posts will be created. But patients are reluctant to be treated by these new specialized nurse practitioners.

“We have advanced practice, training in nursing sciences and an additional diploma in medical sciences, so we have the skills to care for patients according to our class specialty,” assures Nadine Beloni, a specialist nurse practitioner.

A clinic was also set up in record time. It is located in the CLSC Olivier-Guimond, which only needs to be reorganized to accommodate the new clinic.

“We raised our hands to start this beautiful project just three weeks ago. We have set up a clinic to handle 250 patients per week. She is absent without an appointment, we cannot be seen on site at this time,” explains Caroline Saint-Denis, director of multidisciplinary services at CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Est-de-Montreal.

Two more specialty nurse practitioner clinics will open in Montreal by the end of the year.