Family Health Team to expand primary care access and stabilize services
On May 4, Horizon Health Network announced the Perth-Andover Family Health Team.
The team consists of five physicians, two nurse practitioners, three registered nurses, two licensed practical nurses, a dietitian, an occupational therapist, a diabetic educator, and more administrative staff.
This launch is designed to stabilize access to primary care as longtime providers retire and ensure residents can continue to receive services.
Horiozn says 500 patients from the provincial registry have already been attached to the team. The remaining 770 are expected to be on board within 12 to 18 months.
The announcement of a 15th collaborative care clinic has the government at the halfway point of its commitment to establish and support at least 30 clinics by the end of 2028.
The creation of the Perth-Andover Family Health Team, located in the village of Southern Victoria, is expected to eliminate the current local NB Health Link wait-list of about 870 people seeking a primary care provider within 12 to 18 months. The team is also supporting the succession of two longtime physicians who will retire over the next few years.
“This milestone reflects real progress in building a health-care system where every New Brunswicker is connected to a trusted team of health-care professionals close to home,” said Premier Susan Holt. “Collaborative care clinics are at the heart of that vision – bringing together health-care professionals so they can focus on patients and deliver the care people need, when and where they need it.”
Primary care is one of six priority areas outlined in the provincial health plan.
The government announced 11 collaborative care clinics in 2025 and plans to add 12 more this year. Southern Victoria’s is the fourth clinic announced this year, following others in Eastern Charlotte, Nackawic-Millville and Saint Andrews.
The government has committed $30 million in the 2026-27 budget to continue expanding the collaborative care clinic model across New Brunswick.
Community physicians, nurse practitioners and other health-care professionals came together to form the Perth-Andover Family Health Team. Since becoming an official collaborative care clinic last November, it has added 400 patients from the NB Health Link wait list and now serves about 11,000 patients.
The government is providing $1.6 million to Horizon Health Network to support the team by expanding clinical space and adding additional staffing.
The team has already hired two registered nurses, one licensed practical nurse and one administrative support staff member. It has also introduced allied health services, hiring a dietitian, a diabetes educator and an occupational therapist.
Recruitment is ongoing for two nurse practitioners, a licensed practical nurse and a social worker.
Additionally, a physician joined the team today through the Practice Ready Assessment New Brunswick program.
“The Perth-Andover Family Health Team is a strong example of how collaborative care can make a real difference for patients, providers and the entire community,” said Health Minister John Dornan. “It is especially encouraging to see local providers embrace this model to better support their patients and plan for the future. By working as a team, they are strengthening access to care today while ensuring continuity for their patients in the years ahead.”
The regional health authorities continue to work with health professionals to expand team-based care, tailoring each team’s composition to community needs.
“The creation of the Perth-Andover Family Health Team is a testament to this community and its long-term primary care providers,” said Ashley Calvert, interim vice-president of community for Horizon Health Network. “This team-based care model has already allowed us to attract more primary care providers to this community, and the establishment of this team is a landmark in ensuring sustainable access to health care for generations to come.”
The province has provided $1.6 million to support the initiative.
Dr. Kiran Ahmed joined the team after relocating from Ontario. Horizon says the recruitment efforts will continue as the model expands.
(With files from Theresa Blackburn)
