Expansion of collaborative care team in Edmundston

An expanded collaborative care team in Edmundston will improve access to primary care for residents in the region.

The team is being strengthened with the addition of four nurse practitioners and one physician, along with three licensed practical nurses and two administrative support staff. These health professionals will begin seeing patients immediately. The expanded team will assume care for 760 patients from a departing physician, continue care for 300 patients currently served by one of the nurse practitioners, and is expected to provide primary care to an additional 3,500 people over the next year.

“Thousands of New Brunswickers in the Edmundston region will now have access to the care they need, close to home,” said Premier Susan Holt. “We are going to continue to invest in primary care that is collaborative, flexible and community-based to get New Brunswickers better and faster access to the care they need, when and where they need it.”

The new hires are joining an established collaborative team that already includes 14 physicians, one nurse practitioner, seven licensed practical nurses, two registered nurses and a social worker.

The provincial government is investing approximately $788,000 to support the team, covering human resources, facility rental costs and equipment.

Strengthening primary care is one of six priority areas identified in the provincial health plan, Caring for New Brunswick: Putting People at the Heart of Health Care.

“This large, collaborative group of health professionals in Edmundston will make a big difference for patients, helping more people get the care they need, when they need it,” said Health Minister John Dornan. “It’s a great example of how team-based care is improving access to primary care across the province, while improving the experience for health-care providers and reducing the pressure on emergency departments.”

The Liberal government has committed to establishing and supporting at least 30 local collaborative care clinics across the province by 2028. Regional health authorities continue to work with health professionals to expand team-based care, tailoring each clinic to meet local community needs. Collaborative care clinics have already been announced for Campbellton, Moncton, Miramichi, Carleton North, Tantramar, Île-de-Lamèque, Fredericton and Edmundston, with two additional clinics expected by the end of the year.

“Our vision for primary health care has always been to have a community of professionals taking care of a community,” said Dr. France Desrosiers, president and CEO of Vitalité Health Network. “The team members in the Edmundston region are the perfect example of this vision as they work together to improve access to care in their region.”