Moncton, NB – June 25, 2025 – The New Brunswick Health Council (NBHC) has released a new article examining what a strong primary care sector looks like and the reality across the province, drawing on the most recent data from its 2024 edition of the Primary Care Survey, along with other relevant sources.
The article underscores the importance of building a strong, citizen-centered primary health care system and provides an overview of the current state of access to care in New Brunswick. The NBHC’s Primary Care Survey, conducted annually, captures the experiences and perspectives of New Brunswickers on the primary care services they receive.
“Primary care in New Brunswick still has a long way to go to become a high-performing, citizen-centered sector,” said Stéphane Robichaud, CEO of the NBHC. “While there are many initiatives underway, sustained and coordinated efforts are still required to meet the needs of all New Brunswickers.”
Key Observations:
- What percentage of New Brunswickers have a primary care provider? In 2024, 77% of New Brunswickers reported having a permanent primary care provider. This marks the first year since 2017 without a significant decline.
- Timely access remains an issue: Only 1 in 3 citizens were able to get an appointment with their primary care provider within five days, showing no improvement from previous years.
- Experience with care still leaves room for improvement: The care experience reported by citizens using primary care services has not changed significantly, pointing to room for improvement.
“This article is part of our ongoing effort to make data accessible and meaningful for decision-makers, health professionals, and the public,” added Robichaud. “Improving access to primary care is not just about increasing the number of providers—it’s about transforming how care is delivered, experienced, and supported across the province.”
The full article is available here: Primary Care in New Brunswick: What does a strong primary care sector look like?
For interview requests, please contact:
Nay O’Leary
Executive Director, Citizen Engagement
Phone: 506-377-7689
Email: Nay.Oleary@nbhc.ca