When you or your family need medical attention, waiting hours in an emergency room is frustrating. Business and health care leaders packed the Delta Hotel in uptown Saint John to tackle the ongoing medical crisis in New Brunswick. The message is clear. Traditional methods no longer work. The province needs fresh ideas and collaboration across different sectors to deliver and sustain medical services.

Thinking Outside the Box

During the third annual luncheon, Chamber of Commerce chair Serene Allen set the tone. She told the crowd of more than 150 people that the current situation requires urgent action.

“The challenges facing our health care system cannot be addressed through traditional approaches,” Allen said. “They require new ideas, cross sector collaboration and willingness to rethink how health care is delivered, supported and sustained.”

Calling on Business Leaders

Dr. Jennifer Russell serves as the executive director of the University of New Brunswick Institute of Population Health. She used her keynote speech to target the business leaders in the room. She asked them to find ways to improve services through policy or legislation changes.

“There is a lot of people that have skin in the game in terms of have something to gain in terms of taking pressure off the health care system,” Russell said. “I think that collaboration and those conversations are very timely right now based on what is happening globally.”

Pharmacists Step Up

Expanding the role of pharmacists offers a direct way to ease pressure on hospitals and clinics. Dr. Heidi Liston is the CEO of the New Brunswick Pharmacists Association. She shared results from a recent pilot project where pharmacies treated patients for minor needs. The results show 50 percent of people received same day care. More than 80 percent saw a professional within two days.

Pharmacists now receive training to detect middle ear infections in infants. This keeps parents out of crowded emergency rooms.

“Think about that mom, rather than having to go to the ER or in after hours clinic and waiting for hours and hours and hours, they can go and have their child assessed. They are back to work, back to their normal duties, potentially within the same day,” Liston said. “That is a win for the patient.”

Government Support

Health Minister John Dornan agrees that collaborative care provides the best path forward. He acknowledges the province cannot solve these challenges alone.

“Lots of times when the patient comes in, they do not need to see the doctor,” Dornan said. “Perhaps they would rather see someone that knows all of their medications intimately and can suggest other viable alternatives.”

Dornan confirmed health care remains the top priority for New Brunswickers. It takes precedence over the projected provincial deficit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the main focus of the Saint John luncheon?

The event focused on finding non traditional solutions to the health care challenges in New Brunswick. Leaders discussed the need for collaboration between business and medical professionals.

How are pharmacists helping the health care system?

Pharmacists treat patients for minor needs to reduce emergency room wait times. A recent pilot project allowed pharmacies to see half of their patients on the same day. They also assess infants for middle ear infections.

Who spoke at the event?

Keynote speakers included Health Minister John Dornan and Dr. Jennifer Russell. Chamber of Commerce chair Serene Allen and New Brunswick Pharmacists Association CEO Dr. Heidi Liston also shared insights.