A Fredericton clinic is helping more patients gain access to primary care as New Brunswick continues to face a health care crisis.
Fredericton Downtown Community Health Centre, owned and operated by the Horizon Health Network, has expanded its services to include same-day, self-referral appointments with nurse practitioners on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Trish Murray, Horizon’s primary health care director for the Fredericton and Upper River Valley area, said there’s an overall excitement about expanding the clinic’s current capacities and providing more options for care.
“Recent initiatives to include evening appointments five days a week saw an 86 per cent increase in the average daily bookings, [so] adding this self-referral booking option will further increase patient access,” she said.
“By offering people the option to self-refer, we are helping alleviate some of the pressures in our emergency departments and support those who don’t have a family physician or primary health care provider.”
Horizon says appointments can only be made over the phone.
Murray said calls are triaged starting at 10 a.m. until all appointments are filled. Once the clinic is booked up, staff will create a limited waitlist for patients who can attend on short notice in the event of cancellations.
Those looking to book an appointment can call the clinic at (506) 452-5689.