Health Minister Dorothy Shephard. (staff photo)
The future of health care in New Brunswick is now being discussed and residents will soon be asked to provide their input.
Public consultations will be held virtually on Zoom during March and April in 15 communities provincewide.
Health minister Dorothy Shephard says she also wants to hear concerns from medical professionals and community leaders.
“I think we have some challenges that we need to share with our communities to help them understand where we might need to go with regards to health review.”
Shephard says she not only wants to hear the concerns but also the fears.
“We know that past reforms have caused a number of unsettling fears. I think if we can approach this with communities as we bring forward potential solutions and hear about potential solutions, we are going to have a greater opportunity for success.”
Shephard adds some communities may not be ready for these discussions given their COVID-19 reality so she says they would reschedule to ensure the conversation is meaningful.
New Brunswickers are encouraged to submit feedback by emailing healthplansante@gnb.ca
In order to respect the current COVID-19 safety requirements, all sessions will be held online using Zoom and can be attended virtually via smartphone, tablet or computer. Simultaneous interpretation will be available.
The public engagement schedule is as follows:
- Thursday, March 4, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Sackville;
- Tuesday, March 9, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Sainte-Anne-de-Kent;
- Thursday, March 11, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Caraquet;
- Tuesday, March 16, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Perth-Andover;
- Thursday, March 18, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Sussex;
- Tuesday, March 23, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Grand Falls;
- Thursday, March 25, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Campbellton;
- Tuesday, March 30, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Moncton;
- Tuesday, April 6, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Upper River Valley;
- Thursday, April 8, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saint John;
- Tuesday, April 13, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Charlotte County;
- Thursday, April 15, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Bathurst;
- Tuesday, April 20, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Fredericton;
- Thursday, April 22, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Miramichi; and
- Tuesday, April 27, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Edmundston.
Anyone interested in attending a session, may register online.
