N.B. needs more doctors, better health care approach: College

MIRAMICHI, N.B. – The incoming president of the New Brunswick College of Family Physicians says the Liberal Government needs to act quickly to provide more family doctors for residents.

“Looking at your whole health in general gets missed when you don’t have a primary care provider looking at your health in total,” said president-elect Dr. Melissa McQuaid.

The College estimates between 50-60,000 people in the province don’t have a family doctor. McQuaid says along with more doctors, a team-care approach would better serve the public.

“So your family doctor’s office or your nurse practitioner’s office would be your medical home,” she said. “But you may end up seeing more health professionals in your medical home to better meet your needs.”

During the election campaign, the Liberals promised to give all New Brunswickers access to family doctors by adding 50 new general practitioners by 2018.

The government also promised to improve access to health care professionals like nurse practitioners and pharmacists.

In Moncton, people without a family doctor know what they’re missing. Shaine Evans moved to New Brunswick from the United States about six years ago and says she would like to have a family doctor like she had at home.

“He knows everything about me and he knows my history and what’s normal for me and what’s not normal for me,” she said. “It’s important just to have someone who knows you well.”

Newcomers are also having to wait for family doctors. Irena Raduly works for the Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area and says many people moving here end up on the waiting list.

“It’s a challenge especially for families with young children because they have to be updated with immunization or they become sick especially for the winter months,” she said.