Primary Care Renewal Good News for Patients: New Brunswick’s doctors

(Fredericton, NB) – The President of the New Brunswick Medical Society participated in a major announcement today about primary care renewal, calling it good news for patients.

Dr Robert Rae welcomed the plan for renewing the delivery of primary care proposed by the Honourable Madeleine Dubé, Minister of Health.

“New Brunswick’s doctors are leaders in offering patient-focused solutions to renew primary care,” said Dr. Rae. “It’s clear that the Minister has listened to our ideas, and this plan is good news for patients,” said Rae.

The Minister has indicated her agreement with the foundational principles put forward by doctors, including her agreement that every New Brunswicker needs timely access to a family physician, and that patients benefit from team-based care providers who work together to meet the needs of patients.

The Medical Society has advocated for physicians and other health professionals to have a larger role in the planning of primary care changes. We are pleased to note that physicians will be key players in the design and implementation of coming changes, and that other health professionals have a way to influence these changes through the Medical Society.  

The Medical Society is also pleased to be the major driver of a new partnership with the provincial government, which will be tasked with the delivery of electronic medical records to doctors around the province. Adoption of electronic medical records is proven to provide better quality outcomes for patients, help providers communicate better as a team, and enhance system sustainability.

“New Brunswick’s doctors are caring for one of the least healthy populations in the country. We need to offer electronic medical records to physicians to help them provide the best possible care for patients,” Dr Rae stated. “We are proud to partner with government to effect change for patients, and demonstrate our system leadership on this important initiative.”

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For more information, please contact Mara Mallory, New Brunswick Medical Society at (506) 458-8860 or at mmallory@nbms.nb.ca