Workplaces

Nurse practitioner clinic: what it is, who works there, how to get an appointment

The public nurse practitioner clinic gives free access to primary care. The ways to get an appointment, the team and the number of clinics.

October 10, 2026 · Lire en français

Workplaces

A public nurse practitioner clinic (IPS clinic) is a primary care clinic in the public network, run by specialized nurse practitioners. Access is free and goes through an appointment or a referral. On July 16, 2026, Quebec had 18 of them. This article gives no medical advice: for a health question, dial 811, and 911 in an emergency. This text also applies to male nurses.

What a public nurse practitioner clinic is

Québec.ca (page up to date as of April 15, 2024) describes it as a new model of health clinic that gives additional free access to primary care. In most cases, it is located inside a CLSC (local community service centre).

The reference framework of the MSSS, Quebec's Department of Health and Social Services (2024), requires that it report to a network institution and that it be located outside hospital centres. The minister announced the creation of these clinics on November 1, 2022, according to the same document.

Services offered

Québec.ca lists the consultations offered. The range varies from one institution to another.

Consultation for minor emergencies
Care and follow-up of patients waiting at the Guichet d'accès à un médecin de famille (GAMF), the family doctor waiting list
Sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) and access to contraception
Disease prevention and promotion of healthy lifestyle habits
Telephone consultation or teleconsultation
Screening
Palliative care

The page also names follow-ups: chronic health problems, newborns and children, women's health and pregnancy, episode of care after a workplace accident (CNESST).

How to get an appointment

According to Québec.ca, anyone with a common or chronic health problem, a minor emergency or a need for local care can get an appointment at a public nurse practitioner clinic. The page names the ways in.

Way in named by Québec.ca	Where to go
Guichet d'accès à la première ligne (GAP), for people without a family doctor or primary care nurse practitioner (IPSPL)	gap.soinsvirtuels.gouv.qc.ca or 811, option 3
Info-Santé	811, option 1
Rendez-vous santé Québec (RVSQ)	rvsq.gouv.qc.ca
Local emergency department	The emergency room refers you
Community pharmacy	The pharmacy refers you
Guichet d'accès à un médecin de famille (GAMF)	People registered and waiting can consult

Sources: Québec.ca, pages on the public nurse practitioner clinic (April 15, 2024), the GAP (April 21, 2026) and Info-Santé 811 (December 7, 2022).

Québec.ca never says you can walk in without an appointment. The ministry's reference framework lists walk-in consultation or consultation for minor emergencies among the needs these clinics should meet. Check with the clinic before you go.

The same framework requires the clinic to open 7 days a week, with appointment slots after 6 p.m. from Monday to Friday and coverage of at least 4 hours on weekend days and statutory holidays, except for exceptions set out in the document.

How many clinics and where

The Government of Quebec news release of July 16, 2026 counts 18 public nurse practitioner clinics and 7 active satellite sites, for 25 service points.

Two official targets are in circulation. Québec.ca still says the government plans 23 clinics by 2028. The July 16, 2026 news release states that the target was raised in March 2026 to 26 clinics by 2030, with openings to come in Estrie, Lanaudière, Chaudière-Appalaches, the Laurentides, Gaspésie, Bas-Saint-Laurent and Montérégie.

Québec.ca does not publish a list. To find a clinic or its opening hours, the page refers you to the website of your CISSS or CIUSSS (integrated health and social services centre), through the directory Votre CISSS ou votre CIUSSS.

What the law allows the nurse practitioner to do

Section 36.1 of the Nurses Act reserves nine activities for the nurse practitioner (IPS), including diagnosing diseases and prescribing medication. The list is in our article on the nurse practitioner. Since April 15, 2024, according to Québec.ca, primary care nurse practitioners in IPS clinics can directly take charge of people without a family doctor who are registered with the GAMF. This article is not legal advice.

Who works there

Québec.ca sets a minimum team.

Primary care nurse practitioners (IPSPL)
One or more clinical nurses
A social worker

Depending on the needs of the population, the team can add: a nurse practitioner from another class, such as mental health, a licensed practical nurse (nursing assistant in Quebec), a physiotherapist or a kinesiologist, a nutritionist, a pharmacist, a family doctor or specialist.

The ministry's reference framework adds the administrative officer to its staffing guidelines. It classifies clinics into five levels according to the number of nurse practitioners. It prohibits independent labour (MOI) for the professionals in these clinics.

For these jobs, read Become a primary care nurse practitioner, The clinical nurse, The role of the licensed practical nurse and Nurse jobs: where to apply.

Public clinic and private clinic

Private nurse practitioner clinics also exist. The public clinic is free. Check the conditions of a private clinic with the clinic itself.

Did you like this article?

Share this article

Facebook LinkedIn Reddit X Email

Frequently asked questions

What does the abbreviation IPS mean?

IPS stands for infirmière praticienne spécialisée or infirmier praticien spécialisé, a specialized nurse practitioner. According to Québec.ca, she can provide medical care and advanced nursing care. IPSPL refers to the primary care nurse practitioner, the one in IPS clinics.

How does Rendez-vous santé Québec work?

According to its official website, Rendez-vous santé Québec lets you book a family medicine appointment online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You enter your personal information with your health insurance card in hand, choose the date and time in the calendar, then confirm. Reminders arrive by email, automated call or text message. The service is free.

Is a nurse practitioner clinic free?

Yes for the public clinic. Québec.ca writes that it gives additional free access to primary care. Check the conditions of a private clinic with the clinic itself.

Do you need an appointment to go to a nurse practitioner clinic?

Québec.ca talks about getting an appointment or being referred by the GAP, 811, RVSQ, the emergency room or a pharmacy. The page does not mention walk-in access. Check the website of your CISSS or CIUSSS.