Family health team to be established in Miramichi

A new family health team will be launched in Miramichi this summer.

The Nordin Family Health Team will bring together two full-time family physicians, along with a range of health professionals and support staff, to expand access to primary care in the region. Over the next two years, the team will begin caring for 1,000 patients who are currently without a primary care provider and registered on the provincial wait-list, in addition to the 3,000 patients already served by the physicians.

“We are committed to improving access to health care for New Brunswickers, and we’re proud to see physicians in Miramichi coming together to help care for an additional 1,000 patients,” said Premier Susan Holt. “This means more New Brunswickers in Miramichi can access the right health care service at the right time, close to home.”

With an investment of $1.59 million from the provincial government, Horizon Health Network will add two nurse practitioners, a licensed practical nurse, an office manager and an access co-ordinator to the team this summer. Plans are also in place to add two registered nurses and several allied health professionals later this year, including a physiotherapist, a respiratory therapist and a pharmacist. Additional funding will support overhead costs, including the implementation of electronic medical records.

The government has committed to establishing at least 30 local collaborative family health teams across New Brunswick over the next four years.

“We’re gaining momentum with creating family health teams to transform how we deliver primary care,” said Health Minister John Dornan. “In fact, this team is in addition to the 10 locations that have been committed to for this year for local collaborative family health teams. We remain committed to seeing teams formed in the communities we initially identified for this year, and are pleased to see the regional health authorities and primary care providers moving forward in other areas, as well. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with our health-care partners to fully embrace this team-based model of care and adding teams in communities across the province.”

Regional health authorities are working closely with health professionals throughout New Brunswick to develop family health teams that reflect the unique needs of each community.

“The Nordin Family Health Team will have a meaningful impact on the local community in Miramichi,” said Margaret Melanson, president and CEO of the Horizon Health Network. “Teams like this one are central to our primary care strategy as we continue to improve access, enhance patient experience and deliver better health outcomes across the province.”