NNNPLC - Code of Conduct

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NNNPLC - Your Right to Privacy www.health.gov.on.ca

The legislation has defined “Health Information Custodians” (HICS) as individuals who collect, use or discloses personal health information.

A health information custodian can be any number of individuals or organizations who have custody or control of personal health information. Some examples of a health information custodian include:

• Healthcare providers such as doctors, nurses, social workers, dentists, psychologists, paramedics, optometrists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, dieticians, naturopaths and acupuncturists.
• Hospitals
• Long-term care homes and homes for special care
• Community Care Access Centers
• Pharmacies
• Medical laboratories
• Local medical officers of health
• Ambulance services
• Community mental health programs
• Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

The legislation also applies to individuals and organizations outside the health system that receive personal health information from the health care system, such as insurance companies, employers, and schools. The legislation applies to everyone regarding the collection use or disclosure of OHIP numbers.

Northern Neighbours Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic is a health care custodian.

Furthermore; all the staff at Northern Neighbours Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic are bound by law and ethics to safeguard your privacy and the confidentiality of your information.

What is a Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic?

Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics are an innovative model for delivery of comprehensive primary healthcare in Ontario and Canada. The model is designed to improve access to care for the thousands of individuals and families who do not currently have a primary healthcare provider. One of the unique aspects of the model is the incorporation of nursing leadership within an inter-professional team. Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics (NPLCs) are primary healthcare organizations that provide comprehensive, accessible, person centered and co-ordinated primary care services to people of all ages and stages in over twenty communities across Ontario. NPLCs improve the quality of care through enhanced health promotion, disease prevention, primary mental healthcare and chronic disease management, as well as improve care coordination and navigation of the healthcare system.

Engaging patients as full partners in their care plan is an important aspect of the underlying philosophy of NPLCs. Nurse practitioners are the lead primary care providers of the clinic’s inter-professional team of healthcare providers and support staff. Nurse practitioners assess, diagnose, treat and monitor a wide range of health problems using an evidence-based approach to their practice. In addition to nurse practitioners and collaborating physicians, other professionals on the clinic’s team may include registered nurses, registered practical nurses, registered dietitians, registered social workers, health promoters, mental health workers, pharmacists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and other healthcare providers.

What is a Nurse Practitioner?

A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse with advanced university education who provides advanced decision-making skills in the assessment and diagnosis of acute illness and injuries and in the management of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension. Ontario nurse practitioners provide a full range of healthcare services to individuals, families and communities in a variety of settings including hospitals and community-based clinics in cities and smaller towns in Ontario. We work in partnership with physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals such as social workers, midwives, mental health professionals and pharmacists to keep you, your family and your community well.

What types of services are provided at a Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic?

Is the Northern Neighbours Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic a walk-in-clinic?

No, however; same day appointments are available for urgent issues. Otherwise, patients must book an appointment.

Can I stay registered with my family Physician/provider and still come to the Northern Neighbours NPLC?

Northern Neighbours NPLC provides primary health services to the residents of White River and Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg. However, if you are not a resident and have an acute concern, please call the clinic and the concern will be triaged.

We encourage the residents of White River and Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg to become registered patients of the Northern Neighbours NPLC. If you are registered with another clinic, we encourage you to seek care from your primary health care provider.

What are the clinic hours?

Will I have the same Nurse Practitioner for my visits?

Once you become a patient you will be assigned to a specific Nurse Practitioner and you will see them on the subsequent visits. If your Nurse Practitioner is unavailable you may be offered a visit with an alternate NP within the clinic setting. At the Northern Neighbours NPLC we utilize our multidisciplinary team to offer the patient the best most efficient care possible. There may be times that a consultation with the Social Service Worker or Registered Nurse or other clinical staff may be in your best interest and so that is who you would be scheduled to see. We at the Northern Neighbours NPLC believe in a team-based approach working collaboratively to aid in patients’ primary care.

Can I see my medical information?

Yes, you can have access to your medical information in accordance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). The Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 PHIPA sets out rules to protect a patient’s personal health record across the health system. “Health information custodians” healthcare providers and organizations in the healthcare sector must follow these rules when collecting, using or sharing a patient’s personal health information. PHIPA also gives patients the right to see their health records and correct any mistakes. The legislation also has rules for non-health information custodians such as insurance companies and employers, that receive personal health information from a health information custodian.

Who is part of the team at the Northern Neighbours Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic?

The Northern Neighbours Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic team includes two (2) Nurse Practitioner(s), Registered Nurse, Registered Practical Nurse, Registered Social Service Worker, the Clinic Administrator, a collaborating Physician, as well as a Receptionist.

What do I do to prepare for my appointment?

If you require any paperwork to be filled out by the Nurse Practitioner please bring it with you to your appointment with your section(s) completed. If you are in need of medication refills or to discuss a medication change please bring the medication(s) with you. If you require any assistance with communicating with the clinical staff, please bring someone with you. Please have any and all outstanding tests (i.e.: blood work or X-ray) done at least one week before your appointment. Writing down your questions or concerns before you attend your appointment can be very helpful.

Do I have to pay for anything at the Northern Neighbours NPLC?

You may require information from your medical file. In such cases, please contact reception for assistance. Copies of any data from your file may be subject to fee(s)

In addition, other Non-OHIP covered procedures and programs may have an associated fee. Call the clinic for more information.

Can I email my NP my health questions and can I leave messages?

Are telephone appointments available?

Yes, telephone appointments are available for many of the services provided by your healthcare professional. Please request this option when booking your appointment.

What is your policy on cancelling and/or missed appointments?

As of September 7, 2021, Northern Neighbours Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic has created a policy regarding appointments with our care providers.

Any appointment with a Northern Neighbours Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic provider may be cancelled in advance of the appointment with sufficient notice, in which case no charge will apply. After your second missed appointment in a 12-month period, if the appointment is not cancelled before the notice period ends, or the appointment is missed, a missed appointment charge will apply. This policy will be strictly enforced.

Cancellation Expectations

If cancelled up to 1 business day in advance of the appointment time: no charge applies (e.g., for an appointment on a Monday, the appointment must be cancelled by the previous Friday) If cancelled less than 1 business day in advance of the appointment time, or not attended, a missed appointment charge of $25 applies.

Preventative Measures

Reminder Calls will be made the business day before to confirm your appointment. Notices of this policy have been attached on prescription bags, posted in the clinic, and shared on social media.

Extenuating Circumstances

If there are extenuating circumstances such that it might be reasonable to waive the charges, the patient can contact Carolyn Burton, Clinic Administrator, at [email protected], describing the extenuating circumstances that occurred. It is recommended that this be done as close to the missed appointment as possible.

Do you have reminder calls for appointments?

Yes, we offer appointment reminders by telephone.