New Brunswick Reviews Surgical System to Cut Wait Times

New Brunswick is initiating a comprehensive review of its operating room system aimed at reducing surgical wait times across the province. This assessment will focus on optimizing existing resources to improve operational efficiency. The province’s health department is collaborating with two regional health authorities to evaluate current practices and identify areas for improvement.

According to John Dornan, New Brunswick’s Minister of Health, the review will also introduce new metrics to monitor progress. “A final report is anticipated in the coming months, which will provide a roadmap for improving the efficiency of surgical services across the province,” he stated. The initiative follows the Holt government’s identification of surgical access as a key area for enhancement in its first provincial health plan.

The review comes in response to increasing concerns about surgical backlogs, particularly as a private clinic in Moncton has offered its services to alleviate the strain on the public health-care system. Last October, the Holt government set a target of May 2026 for optimizing the use of existing operating rooms. The plan emphasizes the need for better scheduling and extended hours to ensure timely surgeries.

Operational efficiencies are expected to be found within New Brunswick’s publicly funded surgical system. Stéphane Robichaud, CEO of the New Brunswick Health Council, noted that historical data on provincial surgical wait times reveals significant variability between health zones and among specialists. This inconsistency suggests an opportunity to better allocate resources. For instance, family physicians often refer patients to specialists based on personal connections, creating disparities in access to care.

The Holt government’s approach differs from the previous administration’s focus on specific procedures like hip and knee replacements. Robichaud explained that previous initiatives sometimes inadvertently worsened wait times in other surgical areas. The current plan aims to ensure a balanced distribution of surgical services to improve overall access.

Metrics for measuring the effectiveness of the new strategy include tracking the number of patients on waitlists for over 365 days and monitoring the percentage of surgical readmissions within 30 days. In recent years, the government has also looked to the private sector for assistance in reducing wait times. Contracts with private ophthalmology surgical centers have shifted the majority of publicly funded cataract procedures outside of New Brunswick hospitals, leading to improved wait times for this specific surgery.

Robichaud indicated that while the use of private clinics can be beneficial, it is essential to evaluate such arrangements on a case-by-case basis. “Too often in the past, the debate has been very shallow,” he said. “It’s really about looking at this case by case.”

The East Coast Surgical Centre in Moncton has expressed its readiness to assist with publicly funded surgeries, including hernia repairs and joint surgeries. Despite this, the center has struggled to engage with the provincial government. In response, Dornan recently affirmed that the government is open to discussions with any entity willing to help improve health care for New Brunswick residents.

As the province undertakes this significant review, the potential for a more effective surgical system could lead to reduced wait times and improved patient outcomes. The anticipated report will be a critical step in reshaping how surgical services are delivered in New Brunswick, ultimately benefiting the province’s healthcare landscape.