Health Minister Dr. John Dornan says a new collaborative care clinic will open in St. Stephen by the end of the year.
It was a campaign promise by the Holt government, citing 10 new clinics within the first 18 months of its mandate.
“We have committed to starting 10 clinics in this current calendar year,” he said speaking in the legislative assembly. “St. Stephen is one of those … We have already signed contracts with groups of people who are putting together these collaborative care clinics, so while not everyone has a clinic promised in the next year, yours is one of them.”
Dornan revealed the information after facing questions from Progressive Conservative Saint Croix MLA Kathy Bockus.
Collaborative care clinics employ many different medical professionals to provide continuity of care for patients. This model was previously introduced by the PC government.
“It’s not tomorrow, before the year is out,” Dornan said.
The administration of Municipal District of St. Stephen said in a statement it is encouraged by Dornan’s commitment to opening the clinic in St. Stephen during this calendar year.
“We certainly are anxious to have the details of this important development shared with our office and the community at large, said Chief Administrative Officer Jeff Renaud. “The ability to access primary health care is a critical component to the quality of life within our community.”
Recently, the council in St. Stephen was presented a policy for incentives it wants to give to health care professionals including doctors and nurse practitioners.
As part of that incentives package, the council will allocate $100,000 per year. Each incentive is paid out in $25,000 increments, less for nurse practitioners, over a five year commitment.
It is something that Renaud said should be made clear the municipal government shouldn’t have to undertake, but is required to stay competitive.
Healthcare is a provincial responsibility, but increasingly municipalities are faced with the pressure to deliver on things like housing and healthcare in ways it hasn’t in the past.
According to the Department of Health, about 18,631 patients in Zone 2 are yet to be matched to a permanent provider, which encompasses all of southwest New Brunswick, from St. Stephen to Sussex.
:Too many of our residents, including my own, do not have a family doctor,” Renaud said. “The opening of this clinic will be a great relief to our residents, and some welcomed news in 2025.”
Other models exist in Charlotte County, as well, like brick and mortar operations. In Saint Andrews, the wellness clinic is provided free space by the council at the W.C. O’Neill Arena Complex.
It also has about $30,000 allocated in its budget for physician recruitment and retention.
As well, in Eastern Charlotte, the council allocates $25,000 toward the St. George Medical Centre in the St. George mall.
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