Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioners (PHC NPs) are registered nurses who have achieved additional University education and professional regulatory requirements and are specialists in primary health care. Through a collaborative practice approach which includes family physicians and the allied health care professionals, nurse practitioners provide accessible, holistic, comprehensive and effective care to clients of all ages. NPs improve the quality of care through enhanced health promotion, disease/injury prevention and chronic disease management through diagnosis, treatment and monitoring.

Nurse practitioners and other members of the team practice together in a positive collaborative approach, sharing and benefiting from the complementary knowledge and skills of their colleagues, with a focus on keeping patients healthy. Nurse practitioners are able to:

• Order and interpret diagnostic tests
• Diagnose and treat illnesses and/or injuries
• Perform complete physical examinations
• Promote the development of comprehensive chronic disease management and self-care programs as well as strengthen linkages with existing programs (e.g. the Ontario Diabetes Strategy and the integrated cancer screening programs)
• Provide counselling and education
• Provide supportive care through illness
• Make referrals to specialists, community services, and other health professionals