The Department of Health says eVisitNB’s contract will continue for another 90 days amid the transfer to a new provider in June.
“We know the important role virtual care plays, and we’re committed to ensuring it’s available for New Brunswickers when they need it,” Health Minister Dr. John Dornan said in a statement.
In February, eVisitNB emailed users to say “provincial virtual care services will transition to a new provider. As a result, eVisitNB will conclude its current service on March 31, 2026.”
During public accounts, Deputy Minister Eric Beaulieu said the department had decided on a request for proposal (RFP). He said, at the time, there needed to be better integrate virtual health care with primary care, to meet the growing needs of patients and ensure a continuum of care.
Beaulieu outlined some of the requirements within the RFP, including communication among the virtual service, primary care providers, and pharmacies; a triage system to access the right services; care in the individual’s language of choice; and the ability to schedule appointments.
“The organization that is currently providing the services was able to submit and be evaluated just like everyone else within that process,” he said. “It would have made my life and the life of [the] government much easier had the same proponent that is offering it today been the successful proponent providing the best service going forward.
“They were not selected because the proposal we received from another proponent met the requirements stronger.”
Dornan said the goal is a full transition following the extension period.
“I commit to sharing with New Brunswickers more information on the transition and how they can access care from the new vendor prior to the transition date,” he said in a statement.
