Access to primary care remains a key challenge for New Brunswickers, according to the results of a new survey.
The New Brunswick Health Council released the results from its 2023 Primary Care Survey on Tuesday.
CEO Stéphane Robichaud said the number of people who have a primary care provider continues to fall.
“In 2017, 93 per cent of the population had a family doctor or a primary care provider, and in 2023, it’s gone down to 79 per cent,” Robichaud said in an interview.
The number of citizens who report having a permanent primary care provider ranges from 64 per cent in the Edmundston region to 95 per cent in the Miramichi region.
Two of the key reasons for the drop, said Robichaud, are more people living in New Brunswick and fewer primary care providers for them to access.
“Not only have we seen quite a significant increase in immigration, but where traditionally we would have seen immigration around Moncton, a bit in Fredericton, a little bit in Saint John mostly, today we’re seeing immigration all across the province,” he said.
Just because you have access to a primary care provider does not mean it is easy to see them, according to the survey.
Only 32 per cent of respondents reported being able to see their primary care provider within five days, down from 51 per cent in 2020.
“Citizens are using other services because they are not able to see their provider in a timely manner, which can negatively impact continuity of care,” said the report.
More than two-thirds of citizens who have a permanent primary care provider reported using other services because their provider was unavailable.
The council said team-based care models will be key to improving access to services, ensuring continuity of care, and enhancing coordination of services.
In addition, Robichaud said he would like to see regional health authorities ultimately be responsible for primary care services in the province.
“It’s not a situation where we can go from where we are now to where we need to be in a few weeks or a few months, but having clarifying authority over this is really important and moving away from political cycles.”
