N.B. health minister announces plan to avoid long waits in emergency departments
New Brunswick Health Minister Dorothy Shephard announced a new project to give residents more options to access faster care and avoid long waits in emergency departments.
"This project advances commitments in the health plan to improve access to primary health care, as well as addictions and mental health services and to make better use of all the health professionals across our province, including family doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists and more,” said Shephard during a news conference on Wednesday.
“I believe today represents an important turning point for primary health care in our province.”
Shephard says about 60 per cent of New Brunswick’s typical emergency department patients could be treated in a community setting if more timely access was available.
“We can provide these individuals with better options to care and provide relief to the outstretched teams in our ERs at the same time,” said Shephard.
The province is partnering with the regional health authorities, Extra-Mural/Ambulance New Brunswick, and community health providers to accelerate plans to provide New Brunswickers with alternatives so they do not need to go to the emergency room for care that can be delivered in the community.
“Work remains to fulfill our vision of a completely integrated system of community services and changes will be likely. However, these are critical steps forward that will inform our journey and provide New Brunswickers with access to better care,” said Shephard.
Shephard says emergency departments will continue to see patients for emergency health needs such as chest pains, signs of stroke, and broken bones. Individuals who feel they might hurt themselves, or are victims of sexual assault, should still go to the hospital.
“If you are experiencing an emergency and think you might need urgent transportation to the hospital, I urge you to call 911. An ambulance will be dispatched to your home, just like it always has been. However, paramedics will use their clinical judgment to determine whether transport to the hospital is required, or if other health-care options are better suited to your needs,” said Shephard.
Beginning Monday, paramedics will have the option to treat and release patients.
Shephard says residents with a family doctor or nurse practitioner who need access to general health services should contact their provider first. If an appointment can’t be made in a timely manner and a health need is pressing, the health minister says other options are available before visiting the emergency department.
“Pharmacists are now able to renew prescriptions, whether you have a primary care provider or not. They can answer questions about medications, prescribe treatment for minor conditions, including urinary tract infections, skin conditions, fungal infections, and answer questions about vaccinations,” she said.
New Brunswickers can also call 811 to receive support from a nurse and get a referral to additional services.
“The tele-care 811 service has been expanded to include in-person community appointments and virtual appointments that can be accessed within a 24-hour period,” said Shephard.
The health minister also suggested walk-in clinics and virtual walk-in clinics as another alternative for New Brunswickers looking for a consultation with a doctor or nurse practitioner.
“We are demonstrating that we can use technology to connect New Brunswickers to the care they need. Pharmacists and paramedics will be using their training and skills to have an even greater impact on the lives of New Brunswickers,” said Shephard.
According to Shephard, access to primary health-care providers has been an issue in New Brunswick for a long time. The New Brunswick Health Council has been tracking primary health-care access for a decade and released a new report in November 2021 that indicates 91 per cent of New Brunswickers have a primary care provider -- either a family doctor or nurse practitioner.
“This is one of the highest rates in the country. However, only 57 per cent of New Brunswickers reported going to their family doctor most often when they need care. This number has been virtually unchanged since the health council issued its first report on primary health care in 2011,” said Shephard.
“When patients can’t get care for their pressing health need in a timely way, they end up in our emergency rooms. It is not the appropriate place for that type of care at any time, but especially right now.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.