Patient Connect NB is a provincially managed, bilingual patient registry that matches New Brunswickers with a family doctor or nurse practitioner on a first come, first-serve basis. Once you are referred to a practice, you will be contacted directly by the Primary Care Provider’s office.
NB Health Link is a new service that provides New Brunswickers with access to health care professional while they wait for a permanent provider (family physician or nurse practitioner).
To be referred to the NB Health Link program, New Brunswickers must register on the Patient Connect list first.
To register for the Patient Connect, patients without a health care provider must register online or by calling Tele-Care 8-1-1.
Patients are not automatically registered and must complete the on-line registration or call 8-1-1 when:
- your provider closes their practice
- you receive your Medicare card
Before you register, patients should know:
- Patient Connect NB gives priority to patients without a primary care provider and refers people on a first come, first serve basis by area.
- If a patient refuses the provider supplied by Patient Connect NB, their file will be closed, and they will be required to complete a new registration.
- If a provider is unable to reach a patient on three separate occasions by phone, their file will be closed.
- Please make sure Patient Connect NB has your most current telephone number and address.
To be eligible to register for Patient Connect NB / NB Health Link you must:
- have a valid New Brunswick Medicare Card
- be without a health care provider
Zone 1 - South East Region (Moncton)
Zone 2 - South Central Region (Saint John)
Zone 3 - Central West Region (Fredericton)
Zone 4 - North West Region (Edmundston)
Zone 5 - North Central Region (Campbellton)
Zone 6 - North East Region (Bathurst)
Zone 7 - Central East Region (Miramichi)
The Department of Health and Regional Health Authorities are working on improving access and system capacity with an objective to place everyone who is on the list. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide specific timelines on how long it will take.
When registering for Patient Connect you may be matched with a family doctor or nurse practitioner.
If a patient does not wish to be matched to the provider they are assigned to, they must advise Patient Connect as soon as possible. A new registration will be opened on the date you contact us. It is important to note you do not maintain your spot in the list should you refuse to be matched with a specific provider.
If you are unsure if you completed your Patient Connect registration properly, you can check by completing and confirmation form.
If you need to update your contact information, change your Medicare numbers, or remove yourself from the Patient Connect NB list.
NB Health Link is a new service that provides New Brunswickers with access to health care, while they wait for a permanent provider (family physician or nurse practitioner). The program provides patients with access to a network of health professionals throughout the province, offering in-person, telephone, and online appointments in both official languages.
The program will be offered to patients who are on the Patient Connect NB registry who do not have a permanent health care provider.
To be referred to the NB Health Link program, New Brunswickers must register on the Patient Connect list first. Patients will then be contacted via phone on a first-come, first-served basis by their registration date once the service is available in their area.
Patient Connect NB will continue to refer patients to providers in areas not yet supported by NB Health Link.
When patients contact NB Health Link, they will be triaged to determine if they require an in-person, or virtual appointment – ensuring they get the health care they need, when and where they need it.
The network also provides patients with a centralized health record that follows them with each of their appointments, allowing for any follow-up that is needed and providing a true ongoing health care experience.
NB Health Link has been developed to eventually replace Patient Connect NB as the provincially managed, bilingual patient registry for New Brunswickers without access to a family doctor or nurse practitioner.
Patient Connect NB has focused on assigning people to a doctor or nurse practitioner on a first come, first-serve basis.
Although NB Health Link also helps to connect patients with a family doctor or nurse practitioner – while patients wait for longer-term placements with a family doctor or nurse practitioner, they can book an appointment in either official language with one of the network’s doctors or nurse practitioners.
The NB Health Link network is also supported by a centralized health record that follows patients from one appointment to another.
NB Health Link is launching in phases by region. Please ensure to answer phones calls from “Patient Connect NB/ Accès Patient NB” as it will be the only way to be registered for NB Health Link. Similarly, if receiving a letter in the mail, please respond immediately.
Once registered, a welcome package will be sent with information about the service and how to schedule an appointment.
We please ask for your patience during this process as it may take a few months to contact everyone, even once the service is available in your region. Patients without a primary care provider have priority for referral to NB Health Link. If you currently have a provider but are on the list to switch to a different provider, you will be prioritized in future phases of the NB Health Link rollout.
To ensure that you are registered with Patient Connect NB or to update your contact information.
Patients who are registered with NB Health Link can make an appointment by:
- Calling 1-833-354-2300 from Monday to Friday, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.,
- Visit NBHealthLink.ca any time
When registering for Patient Connect you may be matched with a family doctor or nurse practitioner. Both types of providers can assess your medical concerns and needs and help find a solution.
A nurse practitioner is an advance practice nurse who has completed a master’s level university degree and has advanced knowledge and clinical expertise to diagnose, treat, and manage disease or illness.
Nurse practitioners can:
- prescribe medications
- order/interpret laboratory/diagnostic tests
- refer to specialists when needed
Nurse practitioners do not work under the direction of a physician but work in collaboration with physicians, specialists and other health care team members such as:
- physiotherapists
- occupational therapists
- dietitians
- Extra Mural Program
- pharmacists, etc.
Nurse practitioners provide comprehensive clinical care that blends the practice of medicine with the practice of nursing
A family physician offers the most comprehensive approach to treating everyone. A family doctor may not provide all the care their patient needs. But they’re essential for coordinating their treatment plan. Family doctors understand that certain treatments are better left to specialists. In fact, many of their patients have complex problems that require care from multiple specialists.
But only a family doctor will manage these various treatments as one complete treatment plan. They will track and monitor the progress of all the care the patient is receiving.
Family doctors can:
- prescribe medications
- order/interpret laboratory/diagnostic tests
- refer to specialists when needed
Family doctors work in collaboration with other physicians, specialists and other health care team members such as:
- nurse practitioners
- physiotherapists
- occupational therapists
- dietitians
- Extra Mural Program
- Social workers
- pharmacists, etc.
Family doctors provid unique patient care and advocate on behalf of their patients.
Patients will need to provide a certain amount of health information when registering for Patient Connect. All information is considered confidential.