Greater access to variety of health-care providers key: union chief 11/3/11

Tuesday, 01 November 2011 00:00

Published Tuesday November 1st, 2011

CANADAEAST NEWS SERVICE

FREDERICTON - Officials with the New Brunswick Nurses Union say improving access to primary health-care services will play a critical role in balancing patient care with growing fiscal challenges.

Marilyn Quinn, president of the union that represents more than 6,900 nurses across the province, said a recent primary health-care summit in Fredericton is helping to spark a new dialogue about how New Brunswickers receive care from family physicians, in emergency rooms and walk-in clinics, from registered nurses, nurse practitioners and other health-care providers.

She said improving access to these professionals will help shift the focus from treating symptoms and illnesses to living healthier lifestyles and heading off potential health problems before they worsen.

"We believe that it's timely. We've been saying that primary care access is critical. We have to move out of the illness model. We have to move to preventative care," she said.

"And we have to look at our populations and community needs. How do we provide care? It's no longer care that needs to be provided by physicians only. Nurses and nurse practitioners and other care providers can actually help save money in the long run and create a healthier population in this province."

More than 200 nurses from across New Brunswick convened in Fredericton last week to participate in the union's annual general meeting.

Quinn said access to primary care services, the province's fiscal austerity measures and the recent health changes announced by the Horizon Health Network were among the issues discussed.

But she said it was also a chance to talk about the important role nurses play in protecting the quality of patient care throughout the province.

"It was an opportune time for us to get together, in light of the changes that are happening within health care in the province." she said. "Nurses have been concerned about the changes, but they want to make sure that the union maintains its direction of protecting safe, quality patient care."

Quinn said the union also provided its members with an update on the ongoing negotiations regarding its collective bargaining agreement, which expired nearly a year ago on Dec. 31, 2010.

She said the two sides are hoping to put together a new pact that will be fair to both sides.