On the heels of N.S. announcing up to $20,000 in retention bonuses for nurses, N.B.’s healthcare budget got passing marks from some, while nurses gave it a failing grade. The province’s $12.2 billion budget include:
- $44.9 million to increase wages for personal support workers in care homes;
- $29.7 million for recruitment and retention; and
- $10.4 million to increase the number of doctors.
In reaction, the NBMS says improving primary care access is among the population’s greatest healthcare needs and scaling up team-based care will maximize scarce health human resources, reduce duplications of unnecessary testing and provide timely quality care. The NB Health Coalition is pleased to see the money for PSWs but states that the healthcare system would be better off if seniors weren't occupying hospital beds.
Related:
Budget 2023-2024 – Croissance et possibilités : Travailler dans l’intérêt des gens du Nouveau-Brunswick - Gouvernement du Nouveau-Brunswick