Horizon’s Report to Our Communities highlights significant progress on access, patient flow, and bold primary care strategy

(HORIZON) – Horizon continues to deliver on its commitment to patient-centred care through further improvements to access and enhancements to patient flow and overall patient experience. The seventh edition of Horizon’s Report to Our Communities highlights organizational progress from October 1 to December 31, 2024, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and innovation.

Since Horizon’s last update in November 2024, 10 new projects are underway and 55 existing projects remain active across all regional hospitals, 6 community sites, and 22 separate departments and programs. Horizon continues to prioritize innovative, practical solutions to better connect New Brunswickers with health care options that best meet their needs.

“Engaging with patients and collaborating with community and government partners to make meaningful improvements to health care in our province remains vitally important,” said Margaret Melanson, President and CEO. “As a critical foundational step, we are excited to advance a transformative primary care strategy centered on team-based collaborative models and strong partnerships with communities.”

“While we know health care across Canada faces complex challenges, we are committed to addressing these challenges through innovation, partnerships, and efficiencies,” said Susan Harley, Board Chair. “Specifically, the high number of patients in our acute care hospitals awaiting long-term placement in community settings continues to overextend our hospital’s resources. That’s why we’ve developed a comprehensive plan that includes a successful long-term care assessment pilot and identifies meaningful ways to improve patient flow. But it is vital that we continue to work with our government and community partners to ensure even more successful outcomes.”

Highlights from the latest report include:

• Horizon and the Government of New Brunswick are collaborating with community-based primary care providers to establish Family Health Teams across New Brunswick. This model aims to deliver comprehensive, accessible, and continuous primary care as part of a transformative primary care strategy.
  
  
• Horizon’s Talent Acquisition teams have achieved over 70% of recruitment targets for nursing, physician, and allied health positions for the fiscal year. Paired with strengthened retention efforts, these successes enable Horizon to sustain staffing levels and deliver high-quality care without relying on travel nurses.
  
  
• Access to surgical services is on the rise – Horizon achieved a 77% increase in the total number of hip and knee surgeries compared to the previous year. Partnerships, including a private clinic collaboration in Miramichi, significantly improved access to cataract surgeries and allowed Miramichi Regional Hospital to increase elective surgical cases by 44%.
  
  
• AutoScribe, an AI-powered digital assistant, is revolutionizing clinical documentation by transcribing clinician-patient interactions and automatically generating medical notes. This innovative solution can save up to 50% on charting time, contributing to shorter wait times and an overall improved care experience.
  
  
• Self-serve tools for booking X-ray, bloodwork, and specimen collection appointments are improving the patient experience by reducing missed appointments, shortening waitlists, and enhancing access to vital services.
  
  

Horizon’s Report to Our Communities includes many more examples of innovative initiatives and solutions that have been actioned to enhance access to primary care, emergency care, surgeries, and addiction and mental health services. The report also expands on our work to improve patient flow in our facilities, provide a better experience for our patients and clients, and prioritize the retention and recruitment of health care workers. We encourage New Brunswickers to take the time to read through the report in full.

View the report here.

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