This is Nurse Practitioner Week, celebrating the work of these nurses across Ontario and in the Quinte region.
There are 27 Nurse Practitioner clinics across Ontario, including one in Belleville, which has been in place for 10 years.
Belleville Clinic Director Karen Clayton-Babb tells Quinte News they are very valuable professionals in the health care system, “providing primary care in a holistic approach, working in teams.”
“We work with teams to make sure the patients’ needs are met, not only the medical needs that they present with but
also we at all times try to address the social determinants of health that may be contributing to the patient’s presenting health condition.”
Clayton-Babb added, ” We also consult with physicians when the situation is outside our scope.”
She points out many are working in COVID-19 assessment centres.
“There are some more working in assessment centres. There are nurse practitioners who are heading assessment centres.”
Clayton-Babb, who is a nurse practitioner herself, says she wants to “congratulate them (nurse practitioners) and thank them for the hard work they’ve done.”
International Council of Nurses 2020
A nurse practitioner is an advance practice nurse who integrates clinical skills associated with nursing and medicine in order to assess, diagnose and manage patients in primary health care settings and acute care populations as well as ongoing care for populations with chronic illness.
