Primary Health Care
Community notice
What if your physician wasn't your only point of contact for health care?
To improve access to care, Vitalité Health Network is expanding its primary health care services through local family health teams.
These teams bring together various health care professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers, psychologists and physiotherapists, to provide each patient with the care best suited to their needs. The goal? The right care, from the right professional, at the right time.
For example, a patient may be referred to a nurse practitioner for common health concerns or to a social worker when social or family factors are affecting their health.
The results are encouraging. As of June 2026, 34 local family health teams were in place, already providing care to more than 45,900 additional patients.
To access these services, you must first register with NB Health Link at www.nbhealthlink.ca or call 1-833-354-2300.
For more information:
Short version
Primary health care is evolving in New Brunswick. Learn how Vitalité Health Network’s local family health teams bring together various professionals to provide you with better-coordinated care and refer you to the right professional at the right time.
Podcast
In this episode of Vitalité Wellness Break, learn about the local family health team model, which brings together various health care professionals to help patients access the right care from the right professional.
Find out how this collaborative approach is helping improve access to care in New Brunswick
Radio script
Did you know that at Vitalité Health Network, your physician isn't the only health care professional who can meet your health care needs? With our local family health team model, professionals from different disciplines–such as physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers and physiotherapists–work together to ensure you receive the right care, from the right professional, at the right time.
Depending on your situation, this means you will be referred to the professional best suited to meet your needs.
The results are encouraging. As of June 2026, 34 local family health teams were in place, already providing care to more than 45,900 additional patients.
To access these services, you must first register with NB Health Link at www.nbhealthlink.ca or call 1-833-354-2300.
Community notice
Physician or nurse practitioner: who can address your needs?
When people think of primary health care, the family physician is often the first health care professional who comes to mind. However, physicians and nurse practitioners play complementary roles and can both serve as primary care providers.
Family physicians can diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions, provide ongoing care and refer patients to specialized services when needed.
Nurse practitioners have advanced training that allows them to assess patients, diagnose and treat certain health conditions, prescribe medications and order certain diagnostic tests within their scope of practice.
As part of Vitalité Health Network’s local family health teams, these professionals work collaboratively with other team members to ensure care is tailored to each patient's needs.
The goal is not to choose between a physician and a nurse practitioner, but to connect patients with the professional whose skills and expertise best match their needs.
The right care, from the right professional, at the right time.
Short vesrion
Physicians and nurse practitioners play important and complementary roles in primary health care. Learn what each can do and how teamwork ensures you’re referred to the professional who best meets your needs. This collaborative approach is at the heart of Vitalité Health Network's model of care.
Video
In this video, learn about the role of nurse practitioners and how their expertise helps improve access to primary health care
Radio script
When people think of primary health care, the family physician is often the first health care professional who comes to mind. But did you know that a nurse practitioner can also provide primary health care? Physicians and nurse practitioners have different but complementary areas of expertise. Within their scope of practice, nurse practitioners can assess patients, diagnose and treat certain health conditions, prescribe medications and order diagnostic tests.
At Vitalité Health Network, physicians and nurse practitioners work together to help ensure patients receive the care that best meets their needs. To learn more about the role of nurse practitioners and physicians in primary health care, visit Vitalité Health Network's website at www.vitalitenb.ca.
Community notice
Before booking an appointment, consider talking to your pharmacist!
Your pharmacist does more than fill prescriptions. For many common health concerns, they can assess your condition, provide advice and, in some cases, prescribe treatment. In New Brunswick, pharmacists can help manage certain common conditions, including mild acne, conjunctivitis, eczema, cold sores, certain urinary tract infections and allergic rhinitis. They can also provide contraceptive care, renew prescriptions and administer certain provincially funded vaccines.
Services vary from one pharmacy to another, and some may require an appointment. Contact your pharmacy before visiting to find out what services are available. Before seeking care, make sure you have a valid Medicare card, as it is required to access health services, including NB Health Link and community pharmacy services.
Pharmacists are an important part of the health care continuum and can refer you to the appropriate health care professional when needed.
Not sure? Ask your pharmacist!
Short version
Did you know that your pharmacist can help with a number of common health concerns? Learn about the services they can provide, including assessing certain common conditions, prescribing certain treatments and administering vaccines.
Useful link
Assess and Treat Common Ailments
Radio script
Did you know that in New Brunswick, your pharmacist can help with many common health concerns? Pharmacists can treat certain conditions, including mild acne, conjunctivitis, eczema, cold sores, certain urinary tract infections and allergic rhinitis.
They can also provide contraceptive care, renew prescriptions and administer certain provincially funded vaccines.
Services vary from one pharmacy to another. Before visiting, contact your pharmacy to find out how they can help.
And don't forget: you'll need a valid Medicare card to access these services. To learn more, contact your local pharmacy.
Community Notice
I don't have a family physician. What should I do?
Not having a family physician doesn't mean you don't have access to care. In New Brunswick, several health care options are available, depending on the urgency of your situation and your health care needs.
Before seeking care, make sure you have a valid Medicare card. Next, check your symptoms and choose the service best suited to your situation:
Is it an emergency?
If your condition is serious or potentially life-threatening, go to the nearest emergency department. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Not an emergency, but still need care?
Several services are available, depending on your needs:
- Community pharmacist: For certain common health concerns. Pharmacists can assess certain conditions, prescribe certain treatments and administer certain provincially funded vaccines, when appropriate.
- Walk-in clinic: For health concerns that require medical attention but are not emergencies.
- Virtual care: Depending on your situation, some health care providers can renew prescriptions and order laboratory tests.
Not sure where to turn?
Tele-Care 811 can help. By calling 811, you can speak with a health care professional who will assess your situation, provide advice and direct you to the most appropriate service in your community.
Don't have a family physician or nurse practitioner?
Register with NB Health Link, the provincial service for individuals who do not have a permanent primary health care provider. While waiting to be matched with a permanent primary health care provider, registered individuals can access a network of health care professionals, including family physicians and nurse practitioners.
Navigating the health care system can sometimes feel overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone.
Short version
Not having a family physician doesn't mean you're out of options. Learn about the different ways to access primary health care in New Brunswick and choose the service that best suits your needs. ? Start by checking your symptoms, then choose the most appropriate option: emergency department, Tele-Care 811, pharmacist, walk-in clinic or virtual care.
Radio script
Not having a family physician doesn't mean you don't have access to care. In New Brunswick, there are several services available to meet your needs.
Before seeking care, make sure you have a valid Medicare card. In an emergency or if your condition is serious, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
For non-urgent health concerns, your pharmacist, a walk-in clinic or virtual care may be able to help. And if you're not sure where to turn, call 811 for advice and guidance.
Finally, if you don't have a family physician or nurse practitioner, register with NB Health Link at www.nbhealthlink.ca to access primary health care services while waiting to be matched with a permanent primary health care provider.
Other resources
Health and health care matter to everyone. Let’s keep the conversation going in our communities.
