NPs accepting clients onto their panels are responsible to ensure clients have access to a primary care provider by:
- ensuring systems are in place to provide continuity and follow up of care and diagnostic tests
- advising their clients how to access care after hours and in their absence
- working with their Primary Care Network to ensure their clients are covered if the NP is going to be unavailable for any extended absences
NPs decide to accept or decline new clients in good faith and not on personal judgments about the client or the client’s lifestyle. Under the
BC Human Rights Code it may be considered discrimination to refuse clients for reasons of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or age.
NPs consistently apply and document their client selection process. If NPs choose to limit their practice based on legitimate reasons (e.g., at practice capacity, competence, work-life balance) these limitations should be clearly and publicly available (e.g., by a sign in the office, on a practice’s website), and communicated to persons seeking care.
If NPs have introductory meetings to get to know new clients and learn of their health concerns and histories, the decisions to accept or decline clients should be made on the basis of the nature and scope of their practice and composition of their panel, not on the simplicity or complexity of the clients.
NPs convey decisions to decline someone as a client honestly and respectfully, and offer assistance to find an alternative health care provider as appropriate.