The family health team at the Tantramar Primary Health Care Centre is expected to take another 1,000 patients from the NB Health Link provincial patient registry by the end of 2025.

The team currently serves 1,650 patients. The Horizon Health Network is working toward adding all other patients in the area without a primary care provider by April 2026.

“Our goal is to improve timely access to primary care for New Brunswickers,” said Premier Susan Holt. “We are pleased to support the continued expansion of this team with the goal of matching all patients on the wait-list in the region by this time next year.”

The team has been growing since the clinic was established in September 2023. In the past five months, it has expanded to include a registered dietitian, pharmacist, social worker, respiratory therapist and a second nurse practitioner. In addition, the physician’s capacity has increased to four days per week from two.

With funding from the government, regional health authorities are working with health professionals across the province to create teams that meet the needs of each community.

“The family health team model brings together a team of professionals to provide a health-care home for patients,” said Health Minister John Dornan. “This is the model that is needed for New Brunswick, not only to improve access to care for patients, but to allow health-care professionals to work to their scope of practice and have the right support to be able to deliver better care. It also will reduce pressure on our emergency rooms and result in long-term savings.”

The Horizon Health Network has been consulting with local stakeholders in recent years to develop and expand the family health team to meet the community’s needs.

“We are thrilled to see the Tantramar Primary Health Care Centre evolve into a robust, interdisciplinary health-care team,” said Margaret Melanson, the network’s president and CEO. “Through collaboration with the community, we have developed a team that is improving access, creating better health outcomes and providing high-quality patient-centred care for Sackville and the surrounding area.”  

The government has committed to creating at least 30 local collaborative family health teams across the province over four years.

Patients without access to a primary care provider are encouraged to sign up with NB Health Link.