More on Medical Services

Medical Care services and a Collaborative Care Center seem to be a couple of the most talked about and important issues this election, both among residents and candidates.

I want to take this time to reiterate what my position is on this subject and clear up any possible misconception of my position.

The issue of a collaborative care center seems to be tied in with the premise that some have suggested; that in order to ever have an opportunity to have a collaborative care center in Arcadia, that we need to build a building first, then wait until Horizon makes a decision. According to council (at a recent meeting), no commitment has been made on a collaborative Care Center in Arcadia. At a prior council meeting when discussing renovations to the Gagetown clinic, it was stated that if renovations were undertaken to the Gagetown clinic, to meet Horizon standards, they would do something with it. The renovations ($30,000ish) were approved and have been completed.

Let’s also separate the issue of a Collaborative Care Center, versus a “multipurpose” building, and Mayor and council’s ongoing desire to build new municipal offices. These are separate and distinct issues. A multipurpose building is no guarantee of a collaborative care center.

I have said this before; from my perspective, a collaborative care center would be a great asset to this community. If I were elected Mayor, we would continue to lobby our MLA/ Horizon Health and the Minister of Health for such a center.

In a news article dated February 12, 2026, quoting Margaret Melanson (Horizon Health), she stated: “About a third – 238,000 New Brunswickers – are now waiting to be attached to a nurse practitioner or family doctor.” “We believe this evolution of physicians and nurse practitioners working side by side with allied care providers to be able to provide that comprehensive wraparound care delivery to patients is the way of the future,” she told MLAs.”

“She said, within Horizon jurisdiction, seven care teams are now operational – and 13 more are in development. Of those that are operational, some have been provided funding to expand – so they’re renovating a new, larger space, which Melanson says has taken time.”

“Melanson also said another location is soon to be announced in Miramichi, and a team is being established in Petitcodiac scheduled to be open in early 2027.”

“We have 9,643 patients attached to family health teams to date with phase two plan an additional ten family health teams that we have in the queue for this, 26-27 fiscal year,” she said.”

NOTE: St. Andrews received 1.7 million to expand their existing facility.

From Horizon: “We are prioritizing the communities with the greatest need and are addressing patients without a primary provider who have the greatest health care needs first.”

“Currently, nine Family Health Teams are in development. At the same time, Horizon’s 46 Community Health Centres are undergoing improvements and transformations to increase access and optimize capacity to serve patients within the Family Health Team model.”

Per the image below – this appears to be a 4-year plan through to 2029. In order to receive any sort of consideration; now, or in the future, Arcadia has to demonstrate a need. This means registering at NB Healthlink if you don’t have a doctor. If Horizon does not see a need; likely, there will be no consideration whatsoever.

With existing facilities in Gagetown (newly renovated) and in Cambridge-Narrows, is the solution forward one/ two family physicians and 1 or 2 Nurse Portioners?

We have a resident currently undertaking Nurse Practitioner certification exams.

Will Horizon provide funds to renovate/ expand existing facilities, versus a 5000 square foot or larger, new building? Thay have in St Andrews.

Primary Care comes first! That is what is needed today. We need the Gagetown clinic staffed with either a doctor or Nurse Practitioners . Let’s not forget about Cambridge-Narrows. Dr. Stackhouse isn’t going to be there forever. They will need support there as well.

I recognize the benefit of allied services (dietician, podiatrists, geriatrics, physio, etc.). Right now, the issue at hand is Primary Care. These allied services can be addressed when they come, leveraging existing facilities, spaces, etc.

This isn’t the time for studies, analysis, or consultations, forgoing existing facilities, in the hopes of something newer and bigger will come along, nor is it time for the municipality to incur significant costs to build a building and hope” they will come” . This action no doubt would impose further, significant hardship on the taxpayers of Arcadia.

Municipalities do not build schools, highways, or medical facilities (hospitals); the Province does so, with our provincial taxes. If Horizon decides they are going to place a center here, the money for that will come, whether it is a direct payment or through than and potential infrastructure investment from Ottawa. With that, Private developers build building for all levels of government with no impact to the municipal taxpayer. They make the decision. They fund the projects. We need to continue to press them to consider Arcadia. A multipurpose building isn’t necessarily going to accomplish that.

Let’s focus on IMMEDIATE needs with what we currently have and work with all stakeholders for future enhancement and improvements .