Charlotte County Collaborative Wellness Centre expands primary care team, improving access to area patients

Government funding for team-based care to help grow services and enhance capacity

(ST. STEPHEN) – Horizon’s Charlotte County Collaborative Wellness Centre (CCCWC) has received $3.6 million in government funding to establish a dedicated clinic for its team-based primary care services.

This funding will allow the centre to continue growing services and expanding access to primary care for area residents.

In the coming years, the CCCWC will increase its clinical space and recruit additional primary care providers and allied health professionals to the team based on community needs, which will allow them to grow their patient roster.

Since transitioning to one of Horizon’s Family Health Teams in February 2025, the CCCWC has demonstrated significant growth.

The multidisciplinary team has grown from three to 10 health care professionals, including one physician, three nurse practitioners, two registered nurses, two licensed practical nurses, one respiratory therapist and one social worker.

“The growth we’ve seen at the Charlotte County Collaborative Wellness Centre shows how team-based collaborative care is transforming primary health care delivery in New Brunswick,” said Ashley Calvert, Horizon’s interim Vice President Community. “We look forward to building on this momentum, bringing more professionals into the team and ensuring Charlotte County residents have improved access to the primary care they need.”

The centre has welcomed 310 new patients to its roster and also opened an access clinic in collaboration with local physicians to provide transitional care for unattached patients with non-urgent medical needs.

Since opening in February 2025, this access clinic has supported more than 2,000 patients.

“Making sure New Brunswickers can get the care they need, when they need it, is our top priority,” said Premier Susan Holt. “We’re thrilled to support the expansion of the Charlotte County Collaborative Wellness Centre and the dedicated health-care workers who are helping connect more people in St. Stephen with primary care close to home.”

The $3.6 million in government funding will support the team’s continued expansion to a new clinic, including infrastructure improvements and recruitment of additional health-care professionals to strengthen primary care capacity in the region.

“Collaborative care delivers stronger health care for patients and enhanced support for providers,” said Health Minister John Dornan. “This expanded team of primary care and allied health professionals in St. Stephen is a clear example of how we are strengthening our health system with team-based care.”

About Family Health Teams

Horizon’s transformative primary care strategy will establish Family Health Teams across the province, aiming to match all New Brunswickers who live in areas served by Horizon with a local team of collaborative health care providers by 2029. This best-practice approach brings together physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, allied health professionals, and medical office assistants to provide better access and improved patient experience.

There are currently six Family Health Teams in various stages of implementation, including Fredericton North, Tantramar, Carleton North, Nordin (Miramichi), Mapleton (Moncton) and St. Stephen, with an additional four in development. Horizon’s 46 existing Community Health Centres are undergoing improvements to optimize capacity within the collaborative care model.

New Brunswickers without a primary care provider should register with the provincial patient waitlist through NB Health Link. As new local Family Health Teams are established, registered individuals will be contacted and matched with a team in their community. Horizon will share regular progress updates at horizonnb.ca/primary-care.

– 30 –