Saint John is set to receive a new collaborative care clinic, a move designed to significantly increase your access to primary health care. The provincial government announced it is investing $2.9 million to establish a new clinic space and recruit more health-care professionals for the city’s north end.

This announcement, detailed in a news release from the Government of New Brunswick, marks the 11th such clinic announced in the province this year, surpassing the government’s initial target of 10.

What This Means for Saint John

The funding will go to the Horizon Health Network to expand the existing Saint John North End Wellness Centre team. Currently, the team includes a physician, a nurse practitioner, a registered nurse, and a part-time licensed practical nurse, serving about 450 patients.

The new investment will provide a larger space for the team to grow, allowing them to serve more people in the community.

“Making sure people in New Brunswick can get the care they need, when and where they need it, is our top priority,” said Premier Susan Holt. “This collaborative care clinic in the north end of Saint John will put patients first, giving families access to more health professionals, close to home.”

A Team-Based Approach to Your Health

Collaborative care clinics use a team-based model. This means you get care from a variety of professionals working together, including doctors, nurse practitioners, and nurses. The goal is to ensure you see the right professional for your specific needs, when you need it.

Photo from Horizon Health website

“By bringing providers together in a collaborative, family health team model, we can make sure patients receive the right care from the right professional,” said Margaret Melanson, president and CEO of the Horizon Health Network.

Health Minister John Dornan added that this model is tailored to the community. “This growing team will be built around the needs of the people living in the north end of Saint John,” he said.

Part of a Province-Wide Plan

The new clinic is part of the provincial health plan, Caring for New Brunswick. The government has committed to establishing at least 30 collaborative care teams across the province by 2028. The 11 clinics announced this year are expected to connect more than 14,000 New Brunswickers with a primary care provider, taking them off the provincial wait-list.

If you do not have a primary care provider, officials encourage you to sign up with NB Health Link.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a collaborative care clinic?

A collaborative care clinic is a health-care facility where different types of health professionals, such as doctors, nurse practitioners, and nurses, work together as a team to provide primary care to patients. This model aims to provide more comprehensive and timely care.

How will this new clinic help residents?

The clinic will increase the number of people in Saint John’s north end who have access to a primary care provider. The expansion of the team and facilities means more patients can be added to the clinic’s roster, reducing wait times and improving health outcomes for the community.

How can I become a patient at this clinic?

The process for patient rostering at the new clinic has not yet been detailed. Typically, patients are assigned from the provincial NB Health Link wait-list. If you are currently without a family doctor or nurse practitioner, your first step should be to register with NB Health Link.