If you live in New Brunswick, you know finding a family doctor is a challenge. Now, relief is arriving from across the provincial border. New Brunswick welcomes 47 new physicians from Quebec to its healthcare system.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons in New Brunswick granted these licenses since October. The college also received 156 applications from Quebec doctors looking to practice in the province.

This influx comes as Quebec physicians face ongoing conflicts with their provincial government. Former premier François Legault and his government recently changed how doctors receive compensation. Medical professionals in Quebec spent months fighting legislation that ties a portion of their pay to collective performance targets.

Vitalité Health Network Sees Major Gains

Vitalité Health Network successfully recruited 19 of these newly licensed physicians. Nine doctors already started working in the network. The remaining recruits will arrive over the next year.

The new hires include five community based family physicians, two obstetrician gynecologists, and one anesthesiologist. They will serve health zones in Edmundston, Moncton, Bathurst, and Campbellton.

Raphaël Albert directs medical recruitment and retention for Vitalité. He says the network is very pleased with the new additions.

“This will definitely help give a better quality of care to our residents,” Albert said.

He notes the network recruited primary care physicians alongside hard to fill specialties like endocrinology and hemato oncology. Albert credits New Brunswick collaborative care model for the successful recruitment. The model mirrors the group based settings where Quebec physicians complete their medical residency. This familiarity allows new doctors to start seeing patients immediately.

Impact on Horizon Health and Saint John

While Vitalité secured 19 doctors, the remaining 28 physicians accepted offers to work elsewhere in the province. Horizon Health Network operates the primary hospitals in Saint John and surrounding areas. Horizon spokesperson Kris McDavid stated the network focuses its recruitment efforts broadly across domestic and international markets rather than targeting specific provinces.

Progressive Conservative health critic Bill Hogan welcomes the new medical professionals. He specifically highlighted the addition of a new anesthesiologist to the 151 currently practicing in New Brunswick.

“The more that we can get in New Brunswick, the better it is for our health system,” Hogan said.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Quebec doctors are moving to New Brunswick?

The College of Physicians and Surgeons in New Brunswick granted 47 licenses to Quebec physicians since October.

Why are doctors leaving Quebec?

Many physicians are leaving due to ongoing conflicts with the Quebec government over new legislation. The new laws tie a portion of a doctor compensation to collective performance targets.

Where will these new doctors practice?

Vitalité Health Network hired 19 of the doctors to work in Edmundston, Moncton, Bathurst, and Campbellton. Another 28 doctors accepted offers to work in other areas of the province.

What types of doctors are coming to the province?

The recruits include family physicians, obstetrician gynecologists, anesthesiologists, endocrinologists, and hemato oncologists.