E-health records partner gives up stake in system for doctors

A Fredericton consulting company that helped create a controversial e-health record system for doctors in New Brunswick is no longer a partner in the project.

Accreon, which specializes in management consulting and IT services, has given up its stake in the system after being taken over by a U.S. equity firm.

It was a 49 per cent owner of Velanté, the company set up to oversee the health record system in partnership with the New Brunswick Medical Society.

"The medical society has always been the majority owner of Velanté and now it will be the whole owner," said Anthony Knight, the medical group's executive director.

There won't be any change to the e-record system for doctors, he said.

Accreon officials declined to comment on Monday, but Knight says the new owners felt the project didn't fit their business goals.

More doctors signing up

The e-record system has been controversial. Velanté's initial enrolment fell short of its target because of the high cost for doctors to install the system, earning scorn last year from then-health minister Ted Flemming.

"Look, if you want to go into business, you better know your market," Flemming had said.

Knight says enrolments are now picking up, thanks in part to the provincial government agreeing to cut the installation cost for doctors in half to $4,000 as part of its last fee agreement.

About 130 doctors are now using the e-record system and 400 are signed up to adopt it soon, said Knight.

About 950 doctors are eligible.

He says those who are using it are experiencing less paperwork and quicker test results. Some are even managing to see more patients, he said.