N.B. launching new ‘shared-response system’ for ambulances, 811

A New Brunswick Ambulance is pictured. (Nick Moore/CTV News Atlantic)

New Brunswick has announced the launch of a “shared-response system” with the goal of making more ambulances available.

The initiative by Ambulance New Brunswick and Tele-Care 811 plans to connect low-acuity 911 calls to more appropriate care and ensure paramedics and ambulances are available for urgent and life-threatening cases.

Callers assessed as low acuity may be routed to Tele-Care 811, where they can speak with a registered nurse.

811 nurses can give advice and connect patients to the appropriate health-care services.

If a nurse determines during the call the patient’s condition is an emergency, they will be reconnected directly with Ambulance New Brunswick.

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“New Brunswickers should continue to call 911 whenever they believe they are facing an emergency of any kind,” said Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin in a provincial news release.

“This shared-response model helps ensure emergency resources respond when they are needed while providing people with non-urgent health concerns access to qualified health professionals who can help them safely.”

Ambulance New Brunswick received about 147,700 calls in the 2025-26 fiscal year, according to the release.

About 40,000 calls in a typical year are assessed as low acuity.

The province says 35 per cent of the low acuity calls – roughly 14,000 annually – could be directed to Tele-Care 811.

The new system will launch this month.

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.