New Brunswick is setting aside some additional funding for health care.
The provincial says it’s investing $41 million in the Horizon Health Network, the Vitalité Health Network, and Extra-Mural/Ambulance New Brunswick to help them deliver accessible and quality health care.
“This investment is another example of how our government is working with our health-care partners to address challenges in the health-care system and improve services for New Brunswickers,” said Health Minister Bruce Fitch in a news release.
Vitalité received $13.9 million, while Extra-Mural/Ambulance New Brunswick received $4.4 million.
Horizon, which received about $22.7 million, plans to use the money for hospital room refurbishments, enhancements to surgical services at the Sackville Memorial Hospital and the Sussex Health Centre, nursing resources and purchasing surgical equipment.
“All of these upgrades are essential in creating a positive work environment where our teams have the resources, technology, and equipment to provide timely, safe and high-quality care,” said Margaret Melanson, Horizon’s interim president and CEO.
Vitalité, which received $13.9 million from the province, will invest in specialized lab equipment and building renovations, including the oncology and emergency departments at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre in Moncton.
There are also plans for renovations to patient rooms, waiting rooms and dialysis rooms.
Extra-Mural/Ambulance New Brunswick is investing $4.4 million in at-home infusion pumps, at-home lab testing and Kognitiv Spark equipment to facilitate remote patient assessments and consultations with health-care professionals.
ANB also invested in more automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and an emergency command trailer, a mobile unit that can be used to establish a temporary disaster relief response.
“These investments in health care come at an incredibly important time for our patients with the Extra-Mural Program,” said Ginette Pellerin, vice-president of the Extra-Mural Program.
“As the median age of New Brunswickers continues to be one of the highest in Canada, our largely senior patient population will truly benefit from these innovative projects supported by state-of-the-art technology.”