Horizon’s Report to Our Communities: Transforming health care through innovation, collaboration and progress 

Commitment to people-centred care drives innovation and progress, reshaping how care is delivered 

(HORIZON) – Horizon Health Network’s (Horizon’s) latest Report to Our Communities demonstrates meaningful progress in transforming health care across the province, while acknowledging ongoing challenges and the collaborative solutions needed to address them. 

As New Brunswick’s largest health authority, Horizon remains committed to delivering people-centred care through innovation, strategic investments in primary care transformation and the dedication of staff and physicians who prioritize the needs of patients, clients, and communities every day. 

Transforming Primary Care to Improve Access 

Horizon’s strategy to reshape how primary care is delivered is gaining momentum and improving access for thousands of New Brunswickers. Since April, five Family Health Teams have been formalized, with additional teams in development. To date, 8,176 patients have been connected to Family Health Teams, providing them with comprehensive, team-based care. 

Beyond Family Health Teams, enhancements are underway at 46 community health centres across the province, making care more comprehensive, collaborative, and accessible for the communities we serve. 

Addressing Capacity Challenges and Improving Patient Flow 

Horizon continues to face significant capacity pressures, with 645 medically discharged patients occupying acute care beds while awaiting long-term care placement as of the end of September.  

This challenge directly impacts hospital operations and the ability to provide timely care to patients requiring acute services. 

To address these pressures and prepare for the anticipated surge of seasonal respiratory illness, Horizon teams are developing targeted initiatives to improve patient flow.  

These efforts include helping medically stable patients return home safely, reducing hospital admissions through enhanced community supports, expediting long-term care assessments, and implementing bed management plans for crisis situations to ensure hospital resources are available for those who need acute care. 

Building a Strong, Sustainable Workforce 

Horizon has made significant progress in recruitment and retention this year, welcoming hundreds of staff and physicians to an organization committed to fostering a supportive workplace culture. The organization is on track to achieve its hiring targets for the fiscal year, ending March 31, 2026, reaching 55% for registered nurses and 52% for physicians so far.  

This includes 53 specialists – among them 9 psychiatrists and 25 family physicians – who have joined our team. 

Equally important is Horizon’s success in retaining valued team members. The voluntary turnover rate stands at 6.2% for registered nurses and 7.9% overall, both below the national average, reflecting a workplace culture that supports employee satisfaction and wellbeing. 

Leveraging Technology to Enhance Care 

Horizon continues to integrate innovative technology to improve patient outcomes and experience.  

AI transcription to efficiently generate clinical notes has expanded following a successful pilot. 240 clinicians have leveraged the technology in emergency and primary care settings and this number is expected to grow to 400 in the coming months.  

SeamlessMD, a digital self-management tool, is providing patients with education and support to follow their care plan at their fingertips, with 94% of patients report they feel more confident at home after surgery. This fall, SeamlessMD expanded to support patients undergoing Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary surgery and in the coming months, prenatal and postpartum modules will launch, providing an accessible resource to thousands of New Brunswickers.  

  

– 30 –