N.B. Holds First Public Consultation On Health-Care Review

More than 150 people took part in the first virtual public consultation on the future of health care in New Brunswick on Thursday evening.

The session focused on the Sackville area, one of six communities at the centre of proposed overnight emergency room closures last year.

Health Minister Dorothy Shephard reiterated that her government has no plans to close ERs or change hours.

Speaking at the start of the two-hour session, Shephard said it is important for residents to have their voices heard.

“We cannot repeat mistakes of the past,” said Shephard, “and I believe that any former health changes or health reforms if they haven’t succeeded it’s because it’s been done top-down.”

Participants heard a presentation from the New Brunswick Health Council about the challenges facing the health-care system.

They then took part in a series of small group discussions, focusing on local challenges and priorities for the community.

Common concerns raised by residents included wait times to see a family doctor, a lack of public transportation for specialist appointments, and keeping the current services at the hospital.

Chantel Sloan, who facilitated one of the group discussions, said one of their priorities was preventative medicine and mental health care.

“We need mental health care that addresses emergency situations,” said Sloan. “It’s challenging to know that they have to go to Moncton for crisis care to be seen by emergency staff.”

Sloan said there is also a lack of government consultation with local physicians in the community.

“There’s frustration that they feel like the government should consult them as they know what’s happening in the community and that leads to people no longer believing in local health care like they used to,” she said.

Shephard said Thursday’s session is not the end of engagement, promising more discussions as the plan is tabled and unfolds.

Officials have scheduled 14 more virtual sessions throughout the months of March and April, including in Sainte-Anne-de-Kent, Sussex, Moncton, Saint John and Charlotte County. Anyone interested in attending a session can register online.

Feedback can also be submitted by emailing healthplansante@gnb.ca.