Health Minister Bruce Fitch has announced the boards of New Brunswick’s two regional health authorities have been reinstated.
Tom Soucy, president and CEO of Groupe Westco, has been named chair of the Vitalité Health Network.
Carol Reimer, a registered nurse and independent health care consultant, has been named chair of the Horizon Health Network.
“Since summer 2022 we have made important progress implementing the Provincial Health Plan as we work to ensure our health system can deliver the best care to New Brunswickers,” said Fitch.
“With these new boards, we will continue the work the Department of Health, the Vitalité and Horizon health authorities and other partners have been making to ensure improvements.”
Suzanne Johnston and Gérald Richard, who have served as the trustees of the Horizon and Vitalité health authorities since last July, and as co-chairs of the provincial health plan implementation committee since November 2021, conclude their terms on June 30.
“Suzanne and Gérald have done great work in stabilizing and improving our health care system for the future,” said Premier Blaine Higgs.
“Over the past 12 months they have provided important support and direction to the leadership of our health authorities as they make improvements and I know that will continue under the new boards.”
A media release indicates the health authorities have hired more than 700 permanent registered nurses, licenced practical nurses, and personal support workers over the past year, resulting in a net gain of 394 new employees.
A focused effort on improving access to hip and knee surgery has cut the number of people waiting more than a year from 700 in 2022 to about 400 in May 2023.
Access has been improved to cataract surgeries through a pilot project in Bathurst that recently expanded to Miramichi.
Along with the new boards, the Health System Collaboration Council is being created which will be chaired by the minister and include two representatives each from the two health authorities.
The council is designed to provide a provincewide perspective when evaluating the needs within the health care system, facilitating co-operation between both regional health authorities and studying investment, development, recruitment, and clinical opportunities.
The new board members begin their terms effective July 1 and each board is comprised of seven voting members.
The board members of the Vitalité Health Network:
- Tom Soucy, chair, Zone 4
- Julie Cyr, Zone 5
- Réjean Després, Zone 1
- Yves Francoeur, Zone 6
- Jean-Claude Pelletier, Zone 4
- Claire Savoie, Zone 6
- Johanne Thériault Paulin, Zone 6
The board members for the Horizon Health Network:
- Carol Reimer, chair, Zone 3
- Dr. Stephen Bolton, Zone 3
- Denis Goguen, Zone 1
- Donna Redmond Gates, Zone 2
- Susan Harley, Zone 2
- Jane Nastasiuk, Zone 7
- Mike Walton, Zone 2