Department of Health budget released

February 18 , 2016

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The Department of Health released its 2016-17 budget estimates today.

“Protecting health care is a key part of our government’s plan,” said Health Minister Victor Boudreau. “That is why we are committed to making the necessary choices to ensure New Brunswickers have access to the highest quality health-care services possible.”

This year’s $2.58-billion budget is a $65.9-million increase from 2015-16. It includes:

• establishing a formal cancer patient navigation system;

• maximizing the use of health professionals through the introduction of midwives;

• providing funding to support a task force evaluating the role of community support orders; and

• expanding the Child-and-Youth-Centred Integrated Service Delivery framework to three regions.

“Investing in these four important initiatives shows we are fulfilling our important health-care commitments,” said Boudreau.

Other investments include:

• providing funding for 24-hour, professional end-of-life care at Fredericton’s Hospice House, a 10-bed facility that offers a home-like setting for its clients;

• implementing accountability agreements with the regional health authorities, with defined roles and responsibilities with key performance indicators; and

• investing additional funds in provincial drug plans.

This year’s capital budget projects were also announced today and include:

• $400,000 for an expansion to the Paquetville Health Centre;

• $2.5 million for design and engineering work for an expansion to the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton;

• $17.8 million for continuing work on the addition of the surgical suite and renovations at the Dr. Georges-L. Dumont University Hospital Centre in Moncton;

• $18.2 million for continuing work on the addition and renovation project at the Chaleur Regional Hospital in Bathurst; and

• $2 million for the new Centre of Excellence – a provincial mental health treatment centre for youth in Campbellton.

The department will work with the regional health authorities to determine how to distribute $25 million for capital equipment and improvement

NT3