N.B. government spends $600K on family health-care team in Campbellton

New Brunswick has launched a family health-care team in Campbellton. (Source: Facebook/Government of New Brunswick)

The New Brunswick government has spent $600,000 on a family health-care team in Campbellton with the goal of treating thousands of patients.

The government says the team – which is comprised of three physicians, a licensed practical nurse and a social work – has already taken on 2,700 patients. The goal is to provide care for an extra 1,500-to-2,000 patients, according to a news release.

“This team will help thousands of New Brunswickers in Restigouche County get the primary care they need, right here at home,” said Premier Susan Holt in the release. “We committed to Campbellton being one of the first 10 places to get a community care clinic, and we’re proud to be here to do that today.”

The government says the three physicians on the team completed the Practice Ready Assessment New Brunswick program, which allows internationally-trained physicians to become licensed and work in the province.

“Team-based care is not only the model we know we need for better patient care; it also means better support for primary care providers,” said Health Minister John Dornan. “This collaborative model is attractive to physicians and nurse practitioners, and we are proud that the primary care providers coming together to form this team have chosen to practise in our province to provide essential care to New Brunswickers.”

The government aims to create at least 30 local collaborative family health teams across New Brunswick.

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