Luxembourg-based company now running N.B. virtual health-care service

New Brunswick launched its new virtual health-care service on Tuesday.

New Brunswick’s virtual health-care service provider has changed from eVisitNB, based in Grafton, N.B., to Foundever Assistance Services Corp., based in Luxembourg.

Instead of accessing services through the Maple app, residents can now either book an appointment through the Virtual Care NB symptom checker or by calling Tele-Care 811.

Despite months of concerns about the rollout, Health Minister John Dornan said the first day has been successful.

“Appointments are being given, are being filled both today and in days in the future where that’s appropriate,” he said.

The switch has been controversial, with the province’s Progressive Conservatives raising objections for months.

A letter published by several newspapers from eVisitNB nurse practitioners also expressed their concerns about the program.

“It sounds to me more like a call centre, you call, leave a message and we’ll call you back,” PC member Bill Hogan said on Tuesday.

But with 44 nurse practitioners recruited for the new service, Dornan feels confident in his government’s choice.

Foundever already runs the province’s Tele-Care 811 program and according to the provincial government, it has been providing health services in New Brunswick for more than 28 years.

“We’re putting it all together so that we get the right care at the right time for the right person, at the right place,” he said.

But the change is getting mixed reviews from several local residents.

Emily Colpitts, who has Crohn’s disease, used eVisitNB for supplementary care in addition to accessing her family doctor.

For her, what matters is New Brunswickers getting the help they need while the province works on improving access to primary care.

“I know I had a great experience with Maple, and with the programs we had before, and I think if there’s anything like that, I think it will be really good,” she said.

St. Stephen resident Dana Buduroi, who is diabetic, is not so optimistic.

“It’s questionable as to how it would work is my question, if it would be seamless,” she said.

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