Health Care Plan Coming Next Week

New Brunswick’s health minister says her government’s healthcare reform plan will be released on Nov. 17.

Dorothy Shephard made the commitment Wednesday after being pressed on the issue in the legislature.

“I’ve been pushing, pushing, pushing to get our health plan out, and at times you’ve got to realize that staff have a job to do and they need the time they need to do it in the circumstances of having COVID and having many other issues,” Shephard said.

“But having said that, Mr. Speaker, we had a lengthy meeting, and on Wednesday the 17th of this month, the plan will be released.”

A final copy of the plan has been on Shephard’s desk since at least Oct. 29. It was on that day that the health minister tweeted a photo of the plan, entitled “Stabilizing Health Care: An Urgent Call to Action”.

More than a dozen virtual public consultations were held in communities around the province earlier this spring.

At the time, Shephard said she not only wanted to get input but also hear concerns and 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 told our newsroom in February.

The province backtracked on initial reforms early last year after backlash from residents, politicians, and some healthcare professionals.

That plan, which was announced by the province’s two regional health authorities, proposed overnight emergency room closures in six communities, including Sussex and Sackville.

Look what’s on my desk…final copy! Proud of the teamwork that went into this through Covid and other urgent healthcare matters. #comingsoon ⁦@CBCNB⁩ pic.twitter.com/AQYeLcU4Id

— Dorothy Shephard (@ShephardDorothy) October 29, 2021