Frequently Asked Questions
What is Family New Brunswick (FMNB)?
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FMNB allows your family physician to work as part of a team of primary care providers and other allied health professionals to reduce waiting times and offer extended-hours service. You can see all the primary care providers in our group here.
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Our goal is to ensure you have continued care when you need it. For example, if your primary care provider is working in the hospital for the week, or out of the province for continued medical education, their colleagues can see some of their most urgent cases. As part of the team, they have full access to your medical record, and your visit is also recorded for your provider. Most emergency departments and walk-in clinics do not have access to your medical history and often do not notify your health-care professional that you have been seen.
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What this means for you is better care. You can be seen faster, by a health-care professional with access to your medical history. Providers are also supported to provide more thorough appointments, and they can save you time by communicating with you by phone or email instead of in person. Remember that providers may choose not to use email, and not all medical issues can be managed by phone. You can learn more about our plan to offer you care by speaking with our office staff.
Our Approach
The approach is based simply on increased collaboration among family doctors who wish to participate.
More teamwork – combined with New Brunswick Medical Society support – will allow primary care providers more time for patient care.
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Key Principles of the Program
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Primary care providers working with the program are encouraged to see patients more quickly when possible.
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If a patient's primary care provider is unavailable, they may be able to see a different primary care provider with full access to their medical record and history.
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Patients may be able to call their primary care provider with questions when appropriate.
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This sounds great! How do I sign up?
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If you are already the patient of a primary care provider in an FMNB clinic, all you need to do is provide a verbal consent.
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If you are a patient of an FMNB provider and did not receive a consent form, contact us or review this form digitally.
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What is the consent form?
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The consent form strengthens the relationship between you and your primary care provider. By consenting, you agree that your physician or nurse practitioner is your primary care provider, and that you will call them before considering going to the walk-in clinic.
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Agreeing to the consent form means that you have read the FMNB program information and that you want to participate in the program with your provider. It also involves a commitment from you that you will seek care from them first, before going to a walk-in clinic.​​​