Finding a primary care provider in New Brunswick is a well known struggle. If you live in Saint John or the surrounding areas, you likely know someone waiting for a doctor. Now, the provincial government has a clearer picture of exactly how many people need one.
A New Way to Count Patients
Premier Susan Holt announced a new method for calculating the number of patients with a family doctor. The province now uses Medicare data to track patient attachment. Previously, officials estimated these numbers using phone surveys and regional health authority data.
“We need to have accurate data, accurate reliable data to know where we are and to measure the impact of our efforts,” Holt told reporters.
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The Real Numbers Revealed
The new data reveals a 70.2 percent attachment rate across the province. Out of 882,112 people signed up for Medicare, 619,354 have a primary care provider. This leaves 262,758 New Brunswickers without a family doctor.
In January, the province reported a 72.5 percent attachment rate. Health Minister John Dornan explained the old numbers were simply unreliable. He noted the previous estimates painted an inaccurate picture of the healthcare landscape.
“The number that we used before was not reliable. In fact, if we had a reliable number a year ago, it might be a lot lower than 619,” Dornan said.
Medical Society Shows Support
The New Brunswick Medical Society supports the change. President Dr. Carl Boucher stated the new Physician Services Agreement requires family physicians to track and report patient attachment information directly to the Department of Health. This creates greater accountability and improves access to primary care.
Targeting Communities in Need
The province will collect this data monthly and break it down by region. Holt said this regional information will dictate where the government opens new collaborative care clinics. This means communities with the highest need will see resources first.
You can read the original report on CTV News.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people in New Brunswick do not have a family doctor?
According to the new Medicare data, 262,758 residents currently lack a primary care provider.
How did the province track this data before?
The government previously relied on estimates from phone surveys and regional health authorities.
What will the government do with this new information?
Officials will use the monthly regional data to determine the best locations for new collaborative care clinics.
There is not sufficient transparency about our health care problems in New Brunswick. I cannot find where I am on the wait list. Cannot get the information about how patients are assigned to primary care options. I think it is NOT the case that the person on the top of the list gets the next opening. Given what I have observed in our extended family, it seems that a pregnant woman gets primary health care. If so, that is good. In my opinion pregnant women, babies, toddlers should get the first priority.The second priority should be children, the disabled, and elders. That second priority is clearly not being met. I am 86 years old and have been without primary care since 2020 – and indeed with that physician we did meet and she ordered and renewed prescriptions for me. However, she did not examine me or touch my body. I cannot remember the last time a health practitioner actually examined me. This is deplorable, unacceptable, disgusting.