Access to surgery relates to the waiting time for a surgical procedure. The official wait time begins when a citizen and their surgeon determine that a surgery is needed, and a citizen is ready to receive it. Common surgeries include hip and knee replacement, cancer surgeries, and more.
The NBHC reports on the health system’s status regarding access to surgery and has developed a data table (see below) that includes indicators related to surgical wait times. The data is available at the provincial, Regional Health Authorities and zone levels and will be updated quarterly as information becomes available.
Status on Surgical Wait Times
Updated: April 1st, 2025
Deliverables Progress Report
Updated: April 1st, 2025
| DELIVERABLE | TARGET DATE | REVISED TARGET DATE | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ERAS Project Expansion The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) project will be implemented for colorectal surgery patients in Moncton, and hip and knee replacement surgery patients in Saint John. |
Q4 2021-22 |
 |
|
|
E-referral Launch As part of a pilot project, primary care providers will be able to electronically refer citizens to orthopedic specialists who will get to choose the next available specialist in their zone or can wait for a specific surgeon. Launch of the project has been completed. |
Q1 2022-23 |
Q3 2023-24 |
|
|
Integrated E-consultation Citizens will receive faster access to specialist care through an integrated e-consultation system implemented for physicians provincewide. |
Q1 2022-23 |
Q4 2023-24 |
|
|
Hip & Knee Long Wait List Eliminated The list of citizens waiting more than a year for hip and knee replacement surgery will have been eliminated and no one will wait more than a year for the service. |
Q3 2022-23 |
Q4 2023-24 |
|
|
E-referral Expanded Provincewide The electronic referral process pilot launched in April 2022 will be expanded from orthopedic surgery to other specialties provincewide. |
Q3 2023-24 |
Target Date: TBD Working towards governance alignment with stakeholders |
 |
|
Surgical Wait Times Cut in Half Surgical wait times will be cut in half and citizens will have better access to high quality surgical services. |
Q3 2023-24 |
Q4 2025-26 |
|
Status description
|
Complete |
|
In progress |
 |
Revised |
 |
Not started |
Related Content
Learn more about the New Brunswick context regarding Access to Surgeries.
Action Areas
For the most recent quarterly progress report, as well as featured material from the New Brunswick Health Council, select an Action Area from the table below to learn more.
Access to Primary Health Care
Access to Surgery
Create a Connected System
Access to Addiction and Mental Health Services
