Government rolls out strategy for modern, connected, patient-centred digital health system

Release

Office of the Premier, Department of Health

February 13, 2026

MIRAMICHI (GNB) – The government has released a strategy to develop a more modern, connected and patient-centred digital health system.

“Modernizing our digital health system will give doctors the tools they need to spend more time with patients and less time on paperwork, and give patients a more seamless experience as they navigate the health-care system,” said Premier Susan Holt. “This strategy lays out a vision to use digital innovation to improve care for patients and offer a more rewarding and attractive work experience for health-care providers.”

One of the strategy’s core goals is to improve the health-care provider experience with modern, easy-to-use digital tools, ensuring they have timely access to the patient information they need, whenever and wherever they need it. This includes implementing modernized electronic medical records that connect providers, deliver real-time health information, and ensure continuity of care throughout the patient journey. The new tentative physician services agreement includes enhancements to the electronic medical records funding program, increasing the budget to $1.75 million.

“Digital health is not just about improving technology, it is about supporting better care, stronger relationships between patients and providers, and a more sustainable health-care system for the province,” said Dr. Lise Babin, president of the New Brunswick Medical Society. “For the first time, every physician in our province can access funding to adopt and operate an electronic medical record of their choice in their clinic. This approach has been shown across the country to increase electronic medical record adoption rates to the benefit of patients, physicians and the health system as a whole.”

The digital health strategy complements the provincial health plan, expanding on the connected care priority area and helping align digital investments with established objectives for the health system.

“Advancing digital health is more than simply converting paper records to digital files; it’s about transforming care in a holistic way that goes beyond technology,” said Health Minister John Dornan. “An intentional focus on digital health enables a more connected, convenient and patient-centred experience, as well as improvements in patient safety and quality of care. This strategy is intended to help guide investments to support health-care teams with better tools, empower patients to take charge of their health, and make the health system more proactive, collaborative and resilient.”

The strategy has five core goals:

·         Empowering people to manage their health, by helping them securely access their health information and allowing them to track progress, connect with providers and make informed decisions.

·         Improving the provider experience, by reducing paperwork and simplifying day-to-day tasks so providers spend more time with patients and less time navigating systems.

·         Enabling seamless, secure sharing of health information among hospitals, clinics and community care settings by building an integrated digital health ecosystem.

·         Building a data-driven health system, by using advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to gather data, reveal patterns and reduce time spent on manual tasks.

·         Strengthening the health-care system’s digital foundation, by upgrading systems, adopting more agile ways of working, managing data responsibly and ensuring digital health tools are inclusive, accessible and equitable.

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