On Wednesday, July 9th, the City of Fredericton announced a support program for the Provincial Government’s ongoing efforts to recruit physicians to the province called “Embrace the Pulse.” This new support is in the form of a collection of marketing materials produced by the City to encourage healthcare professionals to consider setting down roots in Fredericton, including videos, brochures, and testimonials. This unprecedented show of support from the municipality is in response to a 2024 report that noted that the Fredericton region has the lowest primary care coverage in the province, with only 63% of residents having access to a primary care physician. The provincial average is 77%, meaning Fredericton falls 14% below average and a full 20% below the Miramichi region, which has the highest coverage at 83%. Fredericton Mayor Kate Rogers noted that the city’s jurisdiction does not traditionally include physician recruitment, but the dire situation that Fredericton finds itself in prompted the City to step in and offer support. Minister of Health, Dr. John Dornan, explained that the notable lack of primary care coverage in Fredericton is a result of a break in continuity between experienced senior physicians and incoming junior physicians. After the older generation of physicians in Fredericton retired, there were no new doctors to replace them. Dr. Philipp Kolb, who graduated as a family medicine resident last year and elected to stay in Fredericton, noted that the lack of coverage in Fredericton often disproportionately affects the City’s most vulnerable, as those struggling with substance abuse issues or experiencing homelessness are the most likely to make up the nearly 40% of residents without a doctor.
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