Primary care in New Brunswick has a long way to go to become a high-performing, citizen-centered sector.
That is one of the conclusions in a new report released by the New Brunswick Health Council.
Seventy-seven per cent of citizens reported having a primary care provider in 2024, according to the report.
The council noted this was the first time in several years that we did not see a significant drop in that number, which stood at 93 per cent in 2017.
When you look at specific health zones, the Fredericton and River Valley health zone saw the lowest number over the past year at 64 per cent.
Access to care
Meanwhile, there has been no improvement in timely access or care experience over time, according to the council’s latest report.
Only one-third of citizens reported being able to see their primary care provider within five days, which has been unchanged since 2022.
That number was even lower for residents in the Restigouche and Miramichi health zones at 20 per cent and 26 per cent, respectively.
Around 66 per cent reported that their provider did not offer care services outside clinic hours — a number that jumped to 72 per cent in the Saint John health zone.
That meant they had to turn to another place of care, such as consultations with a pharmacist or emergency department visits.
Only two in three citizens reported having a good care experience, similar to the previous year, according to the report.
The council said that while many initiatives are underway, sustained and coordinated efforts are still required to meet the needs of all New Brunswickers.
That includes having a thorough understanding of the supply of primary care providers and integrating care delivery into an “All of New Brunswick” approach.
