Horizon provides update on Critical Action Priorities

Organization making significant progress, with more than 70 key projects initiated as meaningful work takes to improve access to services, patient flow, patient experience, and retention and recruitment of health care workers

(HORIZON) – Horizon Health Network is very pleased to share its first ever Report to our Communities, which highlights the significant work taking place across our organization as we move toward establishing a health care system that best meets the needs of the patients and clients we serve.

Six months ago, Horizon introduced four Critical Action Priorities which have shaped the organization’s vision as we continue to introduce a series of strategic initiatives, developed and implemented with direct input from our physicians, staff and community partners.

There are currently more than 70 process improvement projects which have been initiated in eight Horizon hospitals, 31 community sites, and 17 departments. Millions of dollars have been invested into these improvement changes, touching nearly every corner of Horizon’s operations.

“Through this work we are steadily seeing the power of working together for change,” said Margaret Melanson, Horizon’s interim President and CEO. “These 70 process improvement projects are focused on our patients and their needs, and we have heard from our patients that access is one of the key areas that needed immediate improvement.”

The Report to our Communities includes several examples of innovative initiatives and solutions which have been actioned to enhance access to emergency care, surgeries, addiction and mental health services, as well as improving patient flow in our facilities, providing a better experience for our patients and clients, and prioritizing the retention and recruitment of health care workers.

Highlights include:

• Only 2% of patients seen in the newly-established Patient Flow Centre at Horizon’s Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital are leaving without being seen.
• $6.4 million being invested to expand Horizon’s surgical program, including enhancements to surgery programs in Horizon’s smaller community hospitals.
• 70% reduction in Horizon’s waitlist for mental health services through introduction of single-session/one-at-a-time therapy.

In addition, the report sheds light on the comprehensive primary and community care strategy Horizon is developing in order to improve access to quality care for all New Brunswickers.

This modern vision for primary care centres on a neighbourhood-based, interprofessional practice model which further optimizes the role Horizon’s community health centres by promoting the delivery of multidisciplinary, team-based care that meet the needs of the population.

“This is not a new concept – but what our teams are looking at now is how we reimagine how Horizon delivers primary health care to provide the most efficient, coordinated, and sustainable services that can best support the health and needs of our local communities,” said Suzanne Johnston, Horizon’s Trustee.

“This is not a one-and-done project. This involves systemic change and will take time. But I am proud of tremendous work being undertaken by our community health care leaders and staffacross Horizon to make this happen.”

Horizon has a plan to ensure all New Brunswickers receive the quality care they need. This plan consists of four key priorities: improving patient flow at our health care facilities, as well as improving access to surgical, emergency and addiction and mental health services, improving the patient experience, improving the recruitment and retention of health care workers. Further details about Horizon’s four priority areas are available at HorizonNB.ca. This initiative also supports the Government of New Brunswick’s provincial health plan, Stabilizing Health Care: An Urgent Call to Action

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