| AGM LAST CALL!This is our last call for the AGM June 1, 2024 in-person registration.Minimum numbers are required by May 14, 2024. We need 20 more people at each site to make this a successful in-person event. If we do not have the numbers, then we will move the in-person event online. |
| President’s UpdateHello everyone, Exciting times over here at the NPAA! The new NP Primary Care Program announcement on April 25 has us working constantly to get supports in place; including staff, education sessions, processes ironed out and coordinated efforts with Alberta Health. Thank you for your patience as we work to make sure items are in place for you. This will take time. We would rather have it done right than rushed. The government announced 15 million dollars for this fiscal year to support NP led clinics. This is the first time NPs have had dedicated, earmarked provincial funding in a fiscal budget! This translates into approximately 50 NP funded positions. There has been applications beyond the budgeted number. 60 EOIs in 2 weeks! Therefore, we are working out a process with Alberta Health to determine how applications will be prioritized and how they will be approved. This is not a first come, first served application process! As this is a new program for Alberta Health and Albertans, the program will be heavily watched and scrutinized. It is imperative that we work together to make this initiative successful. That means, please take the necessary time to ensure your business plans are viable and proposals well thought out. We need strong representation from our community to show that we can do this, as the nation is watching. The application process: EOI forms are available on the Alberta Health and NPAA websites. Please ensure you have reviewed the Program Guide and viewed the technical briefing (available on our website) before submitting your EOI. The EOI goes to Alberta Health and then they let the NPAA know who is interested in the program so we can offer supports. Alberta Health will take about 1 week to review your EOI and then you will receive an application package from Alberta Health. This is a detailed application form for your business. If there is a group of NPs applying, please each submit an EOI and application. You can refer to each other’s applications to convey this to be a group practice. NPAA is not involved in the AH process of reviewing applications. Although, we are happy to provide guidance. The decision to approve your application rests with Alberta Health. We are in close contact with them to help provide feedback on the process and we are also here to support you. The NPAA will reach out to new applicants once we are made aware of their EOI. Any concerns, please email us at hello@albertanps.com. If you missed the last Talk Over Tea, it was not recorded. It was a casual discussion. We will have more of these events and will attempt to do this monthly. Some will be offered in various cohorts to keep information relevant to those who may be at differing stages of the program. Two FAQ documents are in development with AH and CRNA. You can find the CRNA FAQ and resources for NPs here. Feel free to send your questions to hello@albertanps.com. The NPAA is making partnerships to bring you education sessions. We will keep you informed as these supports come together. This will include information on business basics, medical-legal liability, insurance, human resources, among others. New Website Content We hope that you have been keeping an eye on the NPAA website. There are lots of exciting changes over there under the members tab. We are aware that our website could use a refresh and we are working on getting that initiative going shortly. In the meantime, we will work with our current site until the new one is ready to go. Under Members 🡪 NP ResourcesNP Resources: Ongoing updates. Information includes Prac ID, CII/CPAR, WCB number.More coming about Netcare, PIA and othersClinic spaces – over 5 pages of clinics advertising spaces across Alberta for you to network with. These multidisciplinary clinics have been loosely screened but not fully vetted by the NPAA. You will need to use your own judgement when reaching out to these clinics to see if it is a good working relationship for you. It is at your own risk. We hope this helps to build connection and team-based care in your communities.Independent Practice Recording of the NP Primary Care Program Alberta Health Technical Briefing on the program (April 24 meeting)Program guide is availableEOI formMore information will continue to be posted hereMembers 🡪 Event / Continuing EducationEvents calendar – We will post upcoming business education sessions there |
| Coming Up: Talk Over Tea Talk Over Tea for those in the EOI / application phases Next Date: May 15, 2024 1900-2100Special guest: Jill Poulton from ScotiaBank Women’s Initiative to talk about business supports. |
| Scotia Bank Women’s Initiative (SWI) has proposed a masterclass series. We are looking at June as a tentative start date. To occur on a weekly basis for 6 weeks. They are looking to recording these sessions for us. Proposed sessions include the following topics: 1. The Basics of a Start-Up • Business Structure • Business Name • Business Plan • Financial Plan • Build Your Inner Circle2. Dreaming, Scheming, Plotting & Planning • Vision, Mission, Values • Business Description • Services & Products • The Market • Operating Plan3. The Basics of Small Business Finances • Cash flow • Financial Reports • Profit vs Revenue • Money Management4. Systems & Processes • Human Resources • Information & Technology • Sales & Marketing • Operations • Bookkeeping Systems5. Accessing Financing • Purpose & Pricing & Structure • Personal Financial Foundations • Documents & Information • Things to Consider • Other sources of funding The New Primary Care Organization The restructuring of the Primary Care System (PCS) is underway and the NPAA is a key stakeholder in this initiative. It is essential that our NPs working in the PCS are understanding of the trajectory for the coming 2 years and that we are all involved in our local areas. Please take some time to review the MAPS 2 Year Implementation Plan Consider becoming involved: Minister LaGrange has invited us to partake in regional advisory councils across Alberta. Council members will represent a region where they reside. To learn more about the role of the councils, eligibility and application steps please visit https://www.alberta.ca/advisory-councils-health. If you have any questions, please contact the Advisory Councils Secretariat at health.rac@gov.ab.ca. Please see her letter of invitation below.We will then strike a committee of these councillors to ensure consistent NP messaging across the province. hello@albertanps.comIf you become a member of one of these local councils, I encourage you to let us know by emailing Recruitment to Join Regional Advisory Council Invitation from Minister LaGrangeGood afternoon, As part of the health system refocusing, we have committed to listen to regional advice and support local decision-making. I’m pleased to share the public recruitment for the 12 new Regional Advisory Councils and the Indigenous Advisory Council opened on April 16. The Regional Advisory Councils aim to better reflect local voices, bring forward local priorities and provide input on how to improve the health care system. The Indigenous Advisory Council will have a provincial scope and provide advice on ways to improve health care for Indigenous peoples. Council members will advise government and the new primary care, acute care, counting care, and mental health and addiction organizations, on clinical service planning, capital planning and workforce planning. The Regional Advisory Councils will reflect the makeup of communities in a region, and members will represent a wide range of backgrounds and diverse experiences. This includes Albertans receiving health care services as well as health care workers, community leaders, and municipal representatives. Indigenous Advisory Council members will represent a wide range of geographic locations and diverse experiences. This includes Indigenous peoples receiving health care services as well as Indigenous health care workers, and community leaders. I encourage you to share this opportunity with your membership and others you feel can offer a valuable perspective and be willing to consider the perspectives of others. Council members will represent a region where they reside. To learn more about the role of the councils, eligibility and application steps please visit https://www.alberta.ca/advisory-councils-health. If you have any questions, please contact the Advisory Councils Secretariat at health.rac@gov.ab.ca. I remain committed to keeping the direct line of communications open with your organizations’ leadership as we continue the work to refocus the health care system to improve health outcomes for Albertans and empower health care workers to deliver quality care across the province. Sincerely, Adriana LaGrange Minister of Health |