The government of New Brunswick has unveiled a new health-care strategy with six key priorities to enhance the province’s healthcare system. Health Minister John Dornan emphasized the importance of ensuring every resident has access to a family doctor as a primary goal. The government is focusing on establishing collaborative-care clinics, intending to have a total of 30 such clinics operational by 2028.
These clinics will offer a range of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, and mental health specialists, based on community needs. Currently, only 77% of New Brunswickers have a primary care provider, with a target set to increase this to 85% by 2028.
Dornan, a former CEO of the Horizon Health Network, mentioned that while data on the clinics’ impact is not yet available, there is positive feedback from patients who are now connected with family doctors through these initiatives. The six priority areas of the new strategy unveiled include primary care, workforce, seniors, urgent care, mental health and addictions, and connected services.
Premier Susan Holt emphasized the importance of effective and timely care for patients. Dornan highlighted respectful care for seniors as the next priority, aiming to improve community health support and enhance care standards. The province is expanding support services for seniors living independently, including social visits and access to government programs.
Holt stressed the significance of connected care, with efforts to increase the use of electronic medical record systems among clinicians. Initiatives like MyHealthNB offer patients digital access to their health records, ensuring integrated and effective care. Holt emphasized the need for healthcare touchpoints to be digitally connected to provide seamless care experiences for New Brunswickers.
