Patient Connect NB (PCNB)
Note: The Patient Connect NB phone service and support via Tele-Care 811 was suspended on March 11, 2020 to enable staff to respond to COVID-19 inquiries
New Brunswickers without a provider, can register on-line and any questions about their situation not covered in the Frequently Asked Questions can be send to the Patient Connect NB mailbox.
Important information on the process
- Patient Connect NB refers people on a first come first service basis by area.
- Patients without access to a primary care provider are matched in priority.
- If the program attempts to match you to a provider (based on your preferences) and you refuse your file will be closed, you can create a new registration at any time.
- Each time a patient registers, a new record is created with the current date of registration and all old registrations are cancelled.
- For quality control reasons, PCNB will attempt to contact you several times a year, until you are matched. If the PCNB is unable to contact you over 12 months, your record will be deactivated. If you contact the program your file can be reactivated on the date you contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Patient Connect NB?
Patient Connect NB is a provincially-managed, bilingual registry for New Brunswickers without access to a primary health care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner). Patient Connect replaced all the lists maintained at hospitals and clinics across the province in May 2013.
2. Who is eligible to register with Patient Connect NB?
Anyone who is eligible for a New Brunswick Medicare card is eligible to register.
3. Can those currently living outside the province but planning to move to New Brunswick register?|
Yes, but an Individual must have a valid Medicare card from another province to register.
4. How do I add my name to the list?
Those wishing to be added to the registry can do so online on the Department of Health’s website. Add link
5. How am I matched to a primary health care provider?
Providers that have capacity in their practice will contact PCNB to advise that they are able to take patients. PCNB will then select the appropriate number of patients from the registry and send their information to the physician or nurse practitioner. Patients will be advised via email, phone or mail that they are being assigned to a provider.
6. How many New Brunswickers don’t have a family doctor or nurse practitioner?
While this number is difficult to estimate, it is believed that there are between 30,000 and 35,000 New Brunswickers without access to a primary care provider.
7. How long will it take to be matched to a provider?
The average wait to be matched provincially is approximately 18 months, but varies by area.\
8. What happens if I am sick and need access to a provider urgently?
The registry may be able to match you to a provider that will support you until you are matched permanently, you need to complete the health assessment for prioritization.
If your health status changes you can contact PCNB by e-mail.
9. Will patients on the list have to provide personal health information? Will this information be protected?
Patients will need to provide a certain amount of health information to assess health needs. All information is considered confidential.
11. Is there any consideration given to the distance a patient is willing to travel to see a primary health care provider?
When you register, patients are asked what their preferred location for a provider and how far they are willing to travel to access care.
12. What if patients do not wish to see the provider they are assigned to?
If a patient does not wish to be matched to the provider they are assigned to they must advise PCNB as soon as possible. A new registration will be opened on the date you contact us to register.
13. Can individuals who have a family doctor or nurse practitioner but would like to switch to another provider be added to the list?
Yes, but those without a provider will be given a higher priority.
14. What is the process for those who wish to remove themselves from the registry?
Those who are leaving the province or no longer require a provider are encouraged to inform PCNB to remove their name from the list by e-mail.