Horizon expands primary care access while strengthening patient flow across hospitals

Quarterly update highlights new Family Health Teams, hospital capacity initiatives, and recruitment successes

(MONCTON) – Horizon Health Network (Horizon) remains focused on expanding access to primary care for New Brunswickers while working to improve patient flow in hospitals amid ongoing capacity pressures.

Horizon’s Board of Directors held its regular quarterly public meeting today, highlighting progress on the organization’s 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, Transforming Health Care Through Innovation.

“We know that access to primary care and timely emergency services continue to be among the top concerns for New Brunswickers,” said Susan Harley, Horizon’s Board Chair. “While significant pressures remain across the health system, we have continued to advance important initiatives aimed at improving access, flow, and connecting more people with the care they need.”

Key highlights include:

• Improving patient flow as our hospitals continue to experience significant capacity challenges driven by high occupancy of medically discharged patients waiting for long-term care. As of Sept. 30, these patients occupied an average of 41 per cent of acute care beds — enough to fill every inpatient bed at seven of our hospitals. Recent initiatives include:
  • Emergency department diversion teams, which have helped more than 640 medically stable patients return home and saved an estimated 10,000 patient days since November 2025
  • Establishing patient flow command centres to enhance coordination across inpatient units and Emergency Departments
  • Piloting a Homelessness Navigator to improve discharge planning for people experiencing homelessness in Fredericton
  • Assuming responsibility for completing long-term care assessments for medically discharged patients in Fredericton, Saint John, and Moncton, reducing wait times by up to 13 per cent
• Increasing primary care access for New Brunswickers through the continued growth of team-based care. Horizon plans to establish 10 Family Health Teams in 2026-27, with four already announced in Perth-Andover, Moncton West, Hampton, and Woodstock, and connect 15,570 new patients to team-based care this fiscal. Across the Primary Care program, we welcomed 39 family physicians, 36 nurse practitioners, and 141 team members between April and September.
• Extending a virtual emergency care pilot project with Teladoc Health Canada at Horizon’s Grand Manan Hospital and Charlotte County Hospital. Teladoc will continue providing virtual physician coverage three days per week at each site until at least June 30, 2027.
• Recruiting and retaining staff and physicians to meet the needs of our communities:
  • A total of 403 registered nurses, including 13 nurse practitioners, were hired in the first six months of the 2026-27 fiscal year, representing a net gain of 237. During the same period, 154 physicians were hired, including 43 family physicians, for a net gain of 136.
  • Two new general surgeons joined Horizon’s Upper River Valley Hospital, marking the first time in 10 years that all three positions have been filled.
  • The voluntary turnover rate is 6.8 per cent — below our target of 7.2 per cent.
• Strengthening partnerships and fostering innovation through the Atlantic Health Institute. The institute will create new opportunities to improve patient outcomes and advance health care throughout New Brunswick.

“Our teams continue to respond with compassion, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to providing the best possible care,” said Margaret Melanson, Horizon’s President and CEO. “Every day, staff and physicians are finding new ways to enhance the services our communities rely on.”

Latest Report to Our Communities released

These initiatives and more are highlighted in Horizon’s quarterly Report to Our Communities, showcasing progress in transforming health care across the organization. The report also features stories on the impact of initiatives across Horizon-served communities, including:

• A community event in Moncton reducing stigma surrounding substance use and mental health challenges while building connections and support
• A wellness initiative in Saint John helping men in recovery improve their physical health and build community connection
• A drop-in centre in Harvey reducing social isolation and fostering strong connections among seniors
• A new initiative in the Upper River Valley region providing families with young children access to essential resources during times of need
• A free chair exercise program in Miramichi encouraging older adults to stay active, connected, and engaged

– 30 –