N.B. Health Council raises concerns over government decisions

The independent New Brunswick Health Council is concerned about the way decisions are made for the province's health-care system.

Stephane Robichaud, the council's chief executive officer, said he's concerned there's a lack of evidence to support the decisions made by the provincial government that affect the health-care system.

Robichaud said as the council's work groups begin reporting publicly, they will be able to equip people with the right information so they can put important health issues into perspective.

"On wait times, one of the first things that we'll be looking at,[we're] getting some clarifications from government on the strategy [and]what is actually being targeted," Robichaud said.

"Where do we want to be? What are the benchmarks? We should be expecting some announcements on that, but those are elements that will be within our reach for sure."

The health council was established in 2008 to monitor and evaluate the performance of the province's health system. The health council was formed as a part of the Liberal government's new health plan that reduced the number of regional health authorities to two from eight.

Robichaud said the province currently spends $6 million a day on health care, which he expects will rise to $10 million a day in five years.

By 2014 to 2015, he said the projections are that about half of the province's budget will go toward health care.