New Brunswick is hiring six new nurse practitioners in hopes of improving access to primary health care.
“They are able to cut into wait times because they can take a roster of patients,” said the province’s Health Minister, Benoit Bourque, on Wednesday in Fredericton.
Much like a family physician, nurse practitioners can diagnose and treat common illnesses and even prescribe medications.
The province has also made provisions to allow nurse practitioners to replace family physicians who are temporarily absent from their practice.
But with about 21,000 people in the province registered with Patient Connect NB waiting for a health care provider, Kate Sheppard, senior adviser for nursing education and practice for the Nurses Association of New Brunswick says the new hires are good news, but half a dozen positions are not enough.
“Six is starting point, (but) I think we could use more,” Sheppard said.
Raelyn Lagace is a nurse practitioner in Fredericton who currently serves more than 800 patients.
“This is a start. It will enable us to work in different areas that do not have physicians in rural areas, like St. Stephen,” she said.
Lagace also says that more nurse practitioners are required across the province to meet patient needs and to allow more trained nurses to maintain their certifications.
“We have issues with nurse practitioners here in the province not being employed and losing their licenses because they don’t have the hours,” Legace said.
“Are we there today? Unfortunately no, but it is something to strive for.”
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