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N.B. launches abortion self-referral phone line

A new centralized phone service is up and running to support self-referral for abortion services in New Brunswick.

Health Minister John Dornan said ensuring access to abortion services is a priority for the government.

“Previously, New Brunswickers would need to call individual family planning clinics or other providers to find out availability and book appointments,” Dornan said in a statement.

“Now they will have one number to call to reach someone who can inform them of their options for medical and surgical abortion and help them secure a booking for the best appointment option.”

Dornan said the “best” option might be the soonest appointment available, or the one closest to the individual.

He said this will improve the patient experience and help them more easily access services during a “challenging time.”

The government expects this central intake system will reduce instances of patients booking multiple appointments as they try to find the one that works best.

The Department of Health has provided Horizon Health Network $188,187 to hire people to operate the service out the Moncton Hospital’s family planning clinic.

“Our trained clinicians and administrative professionals can provide clear, trauma-informed communication and streamlined navigation to the right service, offering non-judgmental, patient centred support from first contact through followup,” said Christa Wheeler Thorne, Horizon’s clinical executive director of women and children’s health.

Surgical and medical abortions are publicly funded for anyone with a valid medicare card.

Surgical abortions are available at three family planning clinics, located at the Chaleur Regional Hospital, the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre and the Moncton Hospital.

Medical abortions can be accessed through a primary care provider, sexual health clinic or one of the family planning clinics.

People can access the toll-free service by calling 1-844-806-9205. They may be asked to leave a voicemail and will receive a callback during operating hours (8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday).

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Survey finds New Brunswickers unsatisfied with primary care access

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According to the Canadian Medical Association, a Canadian’s access to primary care depends on where they live.

OurCare survey results show that New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Quebec struggle the most to access primary care, ranging from 63 to 73 percent of respondents having a regular family doctor, nurse practitioner, or primary care clinic.

Ontario leads the country for access per capita despite its 1.5-million adults without access to primary care.

New Brunswick lags behind the rest of the country for access to evening and weekend appointments, with the OurCare survey showing 11 percent.

Those without primary care might have to pay privately for services, like in the province of Quebec, where nearly 20 percent of surveyed residents reported doing so. New Brunswick, however, dropped below 3 percent of those paying privately for services.

Satisfaction with primary care systems in New Brunswick averaged with the rest of the country with exception to the three Territories, at 27.8 percent.

Dr. Margot Burnell, president of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), says that not only do millions of Canadians not have a primary care clinician, but many of those who do are unsatisfied with the access they have. “We need to do better for everyone, no matter where they live.”

The OurCare survey was conducted by Dr. Tara Kiran, a family physician-researcher at St. Michael’s Hospital, a site of Unity Health Toronto, in partnership with CMA. It gathered responses from 16,876 adults across Canada.

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Plans unveiled to build modern digital health system in N.B.

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New Brunswick is outlining how it plans to modernize digital tools across the health‑care system.

The provincial government has released a strategy aimed at making care more connected and easier for patients and providers to navigate.

Premier Susan Holt said the plan is meant to give health‑care providers better tools and reduce the time they spend on administrative work.

“Modernizing our digital health system will give doctors the tools they need to spend more time with patients and less time on paperwork,” Holt said in a government release.

The strategy sets out several priorities for improving how information is shared and accessed across the system.

The provincial government says the plan focuses on:

  • helping people securely access and manage their own health information
  • improving the provider experience by reducing paperwork
  • enabling secure information‑sharing across hospitals, clinics and community care
  • building a data‑driven system using analytics and artificial intelligence
  • strengthening the digital foundation of the health‑care system through upgraded and accessible tools

A large part of the strategy involves upgrading electronic medical records so providers can access real‑time information and maintain continuity of care.

The new tentative physician services agreement includes $1.7 million in additional funding to support the adoption and operation of these records.

Dr. Lise Babin, president of the New Brunswick Medical Society, said digital improvements are about strengthening relationships between patients and providers.

She said the funding model means every physician in the province can now access support to adopt an electronic medical record of their choice.

Babin said similar approaches in other provinces have helped increase adoption rates and improve outcomes for patients and the broader system.

The strategy builds on the provincial health plan by expanding the connected‑care priority area and aligning digital investments with long‑term goals for the health‑care system.

Health Minister John Dornan said the strategy is not simply about replacing paper files with digital versions.

“Advancing digital health is more than simply converting paper records to digital files; it’s about transforming care in a holistic way that goes beyond technology,” Dornan said.

He said the plan is meant to guide investments that support care teams, empower patients and help create a more proactive and resilient system.

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Northwestern teens interested in health care invited to CampMed

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Applications for NOSM University’s 20th annual CampMed are now open for high school students interested in pursuing careers in health care.

The five-day summer program provides teens from northwestern Ontario and remote Indigenous communities an opportunity to explore health sciences through hands-on learning and mentorship.

CampMed is led by volunteer post-secondary students, graduates, medical students, and health professionals. Applications for both campers and volunteers close March 9.

The program takes place in Sudbury from July 6-10, and in Thunder Bay from July 13-17.

For more information, visit nosm.ca/CampMed.

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Renovations completed at addictions and mental health centre

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Horizon Health Network has completed renovations at the Ridgewood Addiction and Mental Health campus in Saint John.

The final phase of capital upgrades was part of a three-phase redevelopment partnership between Horizon, the provincial government and the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation.

The project was announced in 2022 and aimed to renovate buildings for three programs to improve quality of care for clients and their overall experience.

“Horizon is committed to ensuring New Brunswickers have access to addiction and mental health care,” said interim vice-president of community Ashley Calvert.

“This final phase, which was the most extensive, will see a significant impact on the overall quality of care provided.”

The three phases of renovations included:

  • Phase 1 – Expanded capacity at the concurrent live-in treatment rehab building from 12 to 16 beds.
  • Phase 2 – Renovations to the in-patient withdrawal management building’s clinical space to allow assessments, treatment and counselling to happen outside the client’s room.
  • Phase 3 – Reformed the central treatment building to create a treatment classroom, teaching kitchen, art and sensory rooms, as well as allied health office spaces for individualized therapy sessions. These spaces are primarily used for those within the concurrent live-in treatment rehab program but are shared with other programs within the campus.

Minister responsible for Addictions and Mental Health Robert McKee said the project is about ensuring people seeking addictions and mental health care have a safe, welcoming and modern space that supports recovery.

“The upgrades at Ridgewood strengthen the quality of care being provided and help patients work toward their recovery goals,” McKee said in a press release.

The president and CEO of the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation said the project was a “true partnership” that the foundation and its board of directors were passionate about supporting.

“Thanks to the generosity and trust of our donors, this important work was possible,” said Shannon Hunter. “By investing in spaces that support addiction and mental health care, we’re helping some of the most vulnerable patients and members of our community receive care in an environment that is safe, respectful, and focused on recovery.”

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N.B. to bring back elected seats on health boards

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New Brunswick is preparing to bring elected members back to the boards that oversee the province’s health‑care system.

The provincial government announced it will introduce legislation to restore elected positions on the boards of the two regional health authorities and expand their membership.

Health Minister John Dornan said the change reflects the government’s focus on improving the system.

“Health care is the number one issue for New Brunswickers and improving the system is our government’s top priority,” Dornan said in a government release.

“Having strong boards of directors for our regional health authorities will help us ensure every New Brunswicker has access to the care they need, close to home, when they need it.”

The previous boards included both elected and appointed members until they were dissolved in 2022.

Appointed boards were created in 2023.

The government’s plan follows a recent Court of King’s Bench ruling that found the 2022 dissolution failed to consider Charter rights and values.

Dornan noted that consultations with the regional health authorities and health‑system partners will begin soon.

The goal is to have elected positions in place for the 2030 election cycle.

Justice Minister and Attorney General Robert McKee described the return of elected seats as one part of a broader update to health‑care governance.

He said future decision‑making must follow a legal framework that respects constitutional principles, linguistic rights and long‑term stability.

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Mobile health team expands care in uptown Saint John

People in uptown Saint John who are living without stable housing now have a new source of support.

The provincial government has launched a mobile health‑care team that brings services directly to them.

The team works in pairs and travels to shelters, encampments and community organizations to offer primary care, mental health support and help navigating health and housing systems, according to a government release.

The stops include Avenue B Harm Reduction, PULSE, Romero House, city‑owned transitional housing “green zones,” Outflow Ministry’s shelter, the Salvation Army, Somerset ACRES, St. John’s Anglican Church, the Coverdale Centre for Women and Rose House.

Health Minister John Dornan said the team is providing essential support in the community.

“This multidisciplinary health‑care team is doing excellent and much‑needed work,” Dornan said in a government release.

“When care approaches are tailored to the needs of different populations and communities, care is more effective and can lead to better health outcomes.”

The team includes two licensed practical nurses, a registered nurse, two human service counsellors, a social worker who also serves as clinical co‑ordinator, and an administrative assistant.

Recruitment is underway for a part‑time nurse practitioner.

A part‑time nurse practitioner and a registered nurse from the Centre for Research, Education and Clinical Care of At‑Risk Populations are also supporting the work.

The province said the service aligns with the health plan “Caring for New Brunswick“, which identifies primary care and mental health and addictions as priority areas.

The plan aims to improve access to primary‑care services and ensure people with mental health concerns or recovering from substance use receive effective support.

Justice Minister Robert McKee, who is responsible for addictions and mental health services, highlighted the importance of integrated care.

“Addiction and mental health services need to be accessible, compassionate and fully integrated, with a focus on the whole person,” McKee said.

He added that the team is helping people receive coordinated support as they work toward recovery.

The team has also contributed to efforts by community partners and government services to help people secure housing, according to a government release.

David Hickey, the minister responsible for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation, said the service is making a visible difference.

“This is a health‑care service that is making a direct impact in our community,” Hickey said.

“As someone who lives in the area served by this team, we can see and feel a difference as people get the supports they need.”

The province provided about $394,000 to Horizon Health Network to establish the team.

Susan Neal, Horizon’s director of primary care in Saint John, said the team is reaching people who often face barriers to care.

“Our health‑care co‑ordination team meets people where they are: in shelters, encampment sites and other community‑based settings,” Neal said.

“By showing up consistently, the team provides compassionate, barrier‑free health care to individuals who may otherwise face challenges accessing services.”

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Action plan to deal with Alzheimer’s in New Brunswick unveiled

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The New Brunswick government presented a new plan Thursday to address dementia and Alzheimer’s in the province.

The three-year strategy and action plan is intended to reduce risk, improve early diagnosis and ensure co-ordinated, compassionate care for New Brunswickers living with dementia and their care partners.

“Today, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia touch the lives of thousands of New Brunswickers, and as our population ages, that number will only grow,” said Seniors Minister Lyne Chantal Boudreau in the introduction to the new strategy. “We need to act now to ensure that no one faces this journey alone.”

The strategy was developed by the Department of Health, in partnership with the Department of Social Development, Vitalité Health Network, Horizon Health Network and the Extra-Mural Program/Ambulance New Brunswick.

The current state of dementia care and services in the province was examined. Through research, analysis and consultation with more than 1,700 interested parties, including people living with dementia and their care partners, a desired future state was developed.

“We committed to working with communities to develop and implement a plan that better supports those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia,” said Premier Susan Holt in a press release. “This work is key to building a system of care that is more responsive, equitable and aligned with the real needs of New Brunswickers.”

The strategy focuses on five areas: risk reduction, public education and awareness, support for people living with dementia and their care partners, a trained and supported workforce, and timely diagnosis and care delivery.

It also includes 14 priority actions:

  • Brain health promotion and dementia risk reduction
  • Dementia-friendly communities
  • Public awareness campaigns
  • Navigation and care co-ordination
  • Care partner supports and education
  • Care partner respite
  • Identification of financial supports
  • Self-management approaches
  • Dementia-specific continuing education programs
  • Timely diagnosis
  • Behavioural supports
  • Palliative and end-of-life care
  • Dementia population monitoring
  • Research

“Dementia is complex and there’s no single answer,” said Health Minister John Dornan in a release. “This plan is a starting point.”

Dornan said the plan will continue to evolve so health-care and social-care systems continue to meet the needs of people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s and those who care for them.

Implementation of the strategy will be the responsibility of government departments, not-for-profit organizations, professional associations, the research community and patient partners, with oversight from the Department of Health.

The Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick was granted $1 million to enhance its programs and services in support of the strategy’s implementation.

The society’s executive director, Chandra MacBean, said the work is important because it starts with people and their experiences, voices, and goals.

“This investment allows us to translate strategy into meaningful, on-the-ground support that will improve access, strengthen well-being and create more responsive services for the individuals and families we serve,” MacBean said in a release.

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AI could help fight lung cancer in New Brunswick

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Horizon Health Network has partnered with a leading artificial intelligence company to improve lung cancer detection and management in New Brunswick.

Qure.ai, a global leader in health-care AI, has developed a solution that uses advanced artificial intelligence to assist radiologists and clinicians in identifying suspicious lung nodules and assessing cancer risk through chest X-ray and CT scan analysis.

“This project exemplifies how we’re applying our innovation framework to evaluate emerging technologies and measure their real-world impact on the care we deliver,” said Horizon vice-president of strategy, transformation and chief innovation officer Jennifer Sheils in a release.

“We’re building evidence-based practices that demonstrate measurable improvements in patient care, while also supporting broader efforts through our research, innovation and better health institute to advance research excellence and translate innovation into tangible health outcomes for New Brunswickers.”

The project is expected to enhance Horizon’s capacity to analyze chest imaging, supporting clinicians in managing increased volumes while maintaining high-quality, patient-centred care.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Canada.

Early detection can significantly improve survival rates and reduce the need for intensive therapeutic or surgical intervention.

“This partnership represents a significant advancement in how we approach lung cancer detection and patient care,” said Horizon chief digital officer Zach Kilburn.

“By integrating AI technology that works seamlessly with our existing infrastructure, we’re empowering our clinicians with enhanced decision-support tools that can help identify potential concerns earlier. This is about putting innovation to work in service of better patient outcomes.”

Qure.ai’s chief commercial officer Jim Mercadante said while proactive CT-based lung cancer screening strategies are a major step forward, they’re only part of the fight.

“AI has the power to cast a wider net,” he said. “To identify small lung nodules that can be indicative of early-stage lung cancer on routine CT and X-rays that may be obtained for other indications.”

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Feds hope to attract more international doctors with faster path to permanent residency

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New immigration rules could bring more internationally trained doctors into Canada.

On Monday, the feds announced a new and faster path for them to become permanent residents.

Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab says the country needs this.

“We’ve seen the strain in our emergency rooms. We hear it from families waiting for a doctor, and we feel it from the front line staff who are stretched thin,” said Diab.

Doctors will be eligible if they have at least one year of work experience in Canada and at a related job. Those eligible related positions include general practitioners and family physicians, specialists in surgery and specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine, according to a news release from the federal government.

On top of that, anyone nominated through the program will have their work permit applications expedited in 14 days, so they can work while they wait for permanent residency.

The federal government will reserve 5,000 federal admission spaces for provinces and territories to nominate doctors. However, that does not take up any of the annual Provincial Nominee Program spots.

Invitations to apply will be sent out in early 2026.

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