Edmundston Family Health Team improves access to primary care in the Northwest

Edmundston Tuesday, October 29, 2024 - Vitalité Health Network is pleased to report the results achieved by the Edmundston region's local family health team, the first team to join the new collaborative care model.

The team brings together fifteen doctors and a nurse practitioner who work closely together to provide easier access and coordinated care to a broader patient base.

(Dr Jean-Philippe Roy, Stéphanie Roy, directrice principale des Soins de santé primaires, de l’approche palliative et des soins de fin de vie intégrés, Lyse Coulombe, directrice régionale, Réseaux de services intégrés des soins de santé primaires, Dre France Desrosiers, présidente-directrice générale, Patrick Parent, président-directeur général adjoint – exécution stratégique et vice-président principal – programmes clientèles et services professionnels)

(Dr. Jean-Philippe Roy, Stéphanie Roy, Corporate Director Primary Health Care, Palliative Approach and Integrated End of Life Care, Lyse Coulombe Regional Director, Primary Care integrated Services Network,Dr. France Desrosiers, President and CEO, Patrick Parent, Assistant CEO, Strategic Execution, and Senior VP, Client Programs and Professional Services)

To date, 1,879 patients without a family doctor have been integrated into the team's patient base. Patients can now benefit from same-day appointments for urgent consultations, and the waiting time for a third appointment has been reduced by 20 days.

The Edmundston family health team relies on a referral centre to quickly direct patients to the appropriate services, ensuring efficient management and optimised access to care.

A women's health service for PAP tests and other essential check-ups was also created in spring 2024. To better meet the needs of families in the region, the clinic for children aged 0-4 now provides services all newborn babies without a dedicated health care provider.

The Network is now continuing co-development work with the Northwest medical community to form two new local family health teams.

'The needs in the Northwest zone are great. Our commitment is to continue strengthening access to primary care to relieve the pressure on our family doctors and hospitals,’ said Patrick Parent, Senior Vice-President, Customer Programs and Professional Services.

‘We are proud of the work accomplished by the professionals on the Edmundston team, who work every day to ensure the health of our communities. I thank them for their essential contribution to this model of care.’