The New Brunswick government has released a new five-year health plan, which it says lays out priorities and sets direction for health-care workers in the province. In the report, the government acknowledged New Brunswick’s health-care system is “facing critical challenges” and is “stretched thin” with growing pressure on hospitals. It says “transformational change” is needed and the new plan is expected to create a “stronger, more resilient” health-care system. The plan outlines goals and how progress will be measured in the following six areas: “Every New Brunswicker should have access to the care they need, when and where they need it,” said Premier Susan Holt in a statement Wednesday. “This health plan outlines how we will deliver on our commitments: bringing collaborative care clinics to New Brunswickers across the province; retaining and recruiting the health-care professionals we need; ensuring seniors are able to age with dignity and get choice in their care; and providing timely access to the mental health services that we know are needed.” The plan sets out several key goals, which include the following: Primary care The province noted 77 per cent of New Brunswickers have a primary-care provider, but only 34.2 per cent of those people can access the care they need within five days. It says at least 30 collaborative care clinics will be established in New Brunswick by 2028, which will see every New Brunswicker connected to a health-care team. At least 10 teams are expected to be established by the end of 2025. Improved access to primary care will be measured by the following: Workforce The government says 55 per cent of New Brunswick physicians work in solo practice, while 34.9 per cent of physicians and 24.3 per cent of nurses are over the age of 55. It says it’s rethinking compensation models to improve retention, noting the province issued two retention payments to eligible front-line nurses in 2024 and 2025. A supported and sustainable workforce will be measured by the following: Seniors New Brunswick says helping seniors live safely and independently at home for as long as possible remains a top priority, as it keeps seniors connected to their communities and reduces pressure on long-term care facilities. However, it notes a skilled and sustainable workforce, strong home and community-based services, and better coordination within the health-care system is required to meet that goal, as well as making health services easier to navigate. Improved support for seniors will be measured by the following: Mental health The province says all family health teams will have mental health services available by 2028, allowing mental health to be treated as an essential part of overall health. Clinicians across disciplines will work together to provide coordinated care, with providers being trained in evidence-based treatment. The province will measure improved access to mental health services by the median wait times for community mental health and substance use services. Addictions The province says it recognizes mental health and addictions “are often deeply connected” so they should be addressed and treated together. It plans to integrate services to create a “seamless continuum of care” that spans prevention, treatment, recovery and harm reduction. Children and youth will have access to early community-based interventions that can prevent substance abuse from escalating, while people already living with addictions will have access to a range of treatment options, including detox services, live-in programs and outpatient counselling. The province says it is developing a new 50-bed addiction treatment facility and exploring other opportunities to increase the number of treatment beds in New Brunswick. Improved access to addictions support and treatment will be measured by: Acute care The government has identified three high-impact acute care areas: The new plan aims to maximize operating room time and reduce backlogs and wait-times by extending hours and better scheduling. The province also plans to introduce access to at-home cancer screening to help identify issues earlier, allowing for faster diagnosis and treatment planning. Improved access to surgery will be measured by: Better cancer outcomes will be measured by: Improved access to cardiovascular interventions and procedures will be measured by: Connected care The province says a ”fully integrated digital health ecosystem” are required to provide quality care and connect patients with their health professionals. It notes digital tools allow hospitals to efficiently transfer patient data, give New Brunswickers more access to their own health information, and help them make informed choices about their care. New Brunswick will be releasing a Digital Health Strategy in the coming months. An improvement in “connected care” will be measured by: Community engagement The province says it has held engagement sessions in recent years and used those insights to develop the core concerns and priorities included in the plan. It says it also sought feedback from key partners. “We will also continue to engage with New Brunswickers across the province to listen and make sure that decisions and work are shaped by evidence and real-life experiences,” said Health Minister John Dornan. “By working together, validating our progress, and adjusting our approach when gaps are identified, we can create a health-care system that is more inclusive, responsive and effective for all.” The last provincial health plan was published in 2021. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
