From Plan to Progress: Horizon’s Report to Our Communities highlights significant advancements in health care transformation and people-centred care

(HORIZON) – Horizon Health Network’s latest Report to Our Communities reveals encouraging signs of health care transformation across our organization, including significant progress in connecting thousands of previously unattached patients to primary care, reducing wait times for non-urgent MRIs and expanding culturally safe care with the hiring of 10 new Indigenous Patient Navigators.  

The results outlined in this ninth edition of Horizon’s Report to Our Communities – the first under the organization’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan – highlight how innovation, partnerships and a people-centred approach are driving measurable progress in our facilities and the communities we serve. 

“We know we need to innovate to identify solutions to address challenges and alleviate pressures while building upon our achievements,” said Susan Harley, Horizon’s Board Chair. “Through this new strategic plan, we will take bold steps toward the highest quality, safe, people-centred care for all New Brunswickers. Horizon’s Report to Our Communities and our Strategic Performance Dashboard are two ways we are committed to keep you updated and informed about our progress toward the goals set out in our strategic plan.” 

Horizon’s ambitious plan is the result of the expertise and guidance of Horizon’s executive and senior leadership teams and the Board of Directors, who led extensive consultation with staff and physicians, health care partners, community stakeholders, government partners and New Brunswickers. 

“Our strategic plan is truly about people – those we care for and those who provide that care,” said Margaret Melanson, Horizon President and CEO.  “We’re transforming health care to better meet the needs of our patients and communities, while ensuring our health care workforce has the tools and resources needed to deliver a seamless and compassionate care experience. Change is happening, and I’m very proud of the progress we are making together.” 

Since its launch, Horizon is already seeing progress on the Year-1 commitments outlined in the strategic plan, and highlighted in this edition of Report to Our Communities: 

• Transformative Community Care: Four new Family Health Teams have been announced – with more to follow – connecting 4,400 previously unattached patients with primary care providers.  
• Excellence in Hospital Care: The brand-new Obstetrics and Newborn Unit at The Moncton Hospital has opened, enhancing outcomes, reducing wait times, and supporting specialist recruitment and retention. Another important milestone has been marked, thanks to the efforts of Horizon’s teams – a 26.9% increase in the volume of non-urgent MRIs has reduced wait times from 407 days in 2024 to 268 days as of May 2025.  
• Our People at their Best: Horizon’s employee recognition program, Bravo! has seen 18,616 messages sent, recognizing the exceptional work of staff, and 4,263 employees and physicians were honoured at Horizon’s annual Years of Service and Retirement events. Despite national challenges, Horizon is attracting and retaining new talent from across Canada and beyond to bolster staffing and sustain quality care.  
• Trusted Partner in Research and Innovation: Research and innovation are essential components of a progressive health care system, enabling advancements in patient care and health outcomes through the development, adoption, and implementation of potentially life-saving therapies and new technologies, while reducing negative health care system impacts. Through research and innovation comes partnerships, which enable us to harness the latest technologies to provide exceptional patient care. 
• Quality and Safe People-Centred Care: Funding has been reallocated to hire 10 new Indigenous Patient Navigators, ensuring more culturally safe, people-centred care across hospitals and community sites.  

Horizon’s Report to Our Communities includes many more examples of innovative, patient-centred initiatives and solutions that transform health care through innovation. We invite you to read more about the work of the staff, physicians, and volunteers enhancing services and experiences of New Brunswickers. 

Horizon is also pleased to release its 2024-25 Annual Report today, highlighting key achievements from the past fiscal year in the delivery of exceptional patient care every day. The 2024-25 Annual Report can be found here.  

– 30 –