Peterborough 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic Expands Access to Primary Healthcare for More Patients in Peterborough
Peterborough 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic
45-360 George Street North
Peterborough, ON K9H 7E7
360admin@nplc.ca
May 29, 2026
The Peterborough 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic (360 NPLC) announces a major expansion of its services, made possible through new provincial funding aimed at improving access to primary healthcare across Ontario.
As part of Ontario’s Primary Care Action Plan, the province is investing more than $2,000,000 this year to significantly expand access to care across Peterborough City and County—connecting up to 4,762 people to primary care, including 1,825 patients who will be welcomed into care at the 360 NPLC over the coming year through an annual investment of $688,000. This expansion comes at a critical time, as communities across the province work to ensure that every resident has access to a regular primary care provider.
Danielle Howson, Executive Director/Nurse Practitioner Lead at the 360 NPLC welcomed this news and what it will mean for the community. “We acknowledge and appreciate the provincial government’s leadership and investment in primary care, which is helping to expand innovative, team-based models of care across our province. We know that many people in Peterborough are still struggling to access primary care, and this funding allows us to begin closing that gap in a meaningful and lasting way. Nurse-practitioner-led clinics are well-positioned to provide comprehensive, connected and patient-centred care that meets the evolving needs of our communities.”
Established in 2011, the 360 NPLC is a community-based, interprofessional primary care clinic which has built a strong reputation for delivering equitable, accessible, and person-centred care. The clinic provides comprehensive, life-long care to patients across the community, and finds innovative ways to meet the needs of patients.
Nurse practitioners play a critical role in delivering high-quality primary care. As highly trained independent health-care providers, nurse practitioners can assess patients, diagnose illnesses, order and interpret tests, prescribe medications, and manage both acute and chronic conditions. Primary health care nurse practitioners provide high-quality, comprehensive primary care, and much like family physicians, serve as a key first point of access to the healthcare system. In a nurse practitioner-led model, like at the 360 NPLC, the approach emphasizes prevention, health education, and long-term relationship-building with patients. Patients also benefit from extended appointment times, which create space for deep conversations, thorough assessments, and care that reflects the full context of a patient’s life.
The 360 NPLC delivers care through an interprofessional team that includes nurse practitioners, registered nurses, social workers, and mental health clinicians. This integrated structure allows patients to access a wide range of supports in one setting, ensuring that physical, mental, and social health needs are addressed together.
“At the 360 NPLC, we believe that primary care should be individualized and collaborative,” Howson explained. “Longer appointment times and a team-based approach mean we can truly understand each patient’s needs and provide care that is compassionate, coordinated, and responsive.”
Beyond primary care, the 360 NPLC plays a vital role in supporting the broader community by offering services aimed at addressing social factors that greatly impact individual and community health. Community members can access already-existing basic supports such as shower and laundry facilities, and the clinic offers programming focused on mental health and well-being. These services reflect the clinic’s commitment to a low-barrier, person centred, trauma-informed, and equity-focused model of care.
With the addition of this funding to increase access to care for more people, the 360 NPLC will also expand its team and enhance the range of services it provides, allowing more individuals to receive consistent, high-quality care in a supportive environment.
“Expanding our team locally means expanding what’s possible for our patients,” said Howson. “We will be able to welcome more people into care, strengthen continuity, and improve health outcomes across our community. This is about ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to access the care they need, when and where they need it.”
If you are amongst the many in Peterborough who are currently without access to a primary care provider, such as a nurse practitioner or family physician, the first step to getting connected is to register for Health Care Connect online or by calling 1-888-579-6707 Monday to Friday, between 8:30am and 4:30pm. If you have non-emergency health care needs while waiting for primary care attachment, please reach out to the Connect Clinic at the Peterborough Family Health Team by calling 705-651-4866.
For more information, please contact:
Danielle Howson, NP
Nurse Practitioner Lead/Executive Director
360admin@nplc.ca
