New Brunswick prioritizes nursing home placements for patients at Moncton hospitals

Patients at Moncton hospitals will be fast-tracked to nursing home beds, bypassing others on the waitlist.

Temporary prioritization of patients at two New Brunswick hospitals has been approved by Social Development Minister Cindy Miles.

The prioritization is for patients of Moncton Hospital and Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre patients who are waiting for admission to nursing homes.

“New Brunswickers deserve care in the setting that best meets their needs,” said Miles. “That’s why our government is working closely with regional health authorities to improve patient flow, ease pressure on hospitals, and make sure those awaiting long-term care have access to the right supports when they need them most.”

Admissions to nursing homes are done chronologically, but the Social Development minister is authorized to interrupt wait-list management processes if hospital bed occupancy has exceeded 95 per cent over the previous seven days. And if more than 25 per cent of those beds were alternate-level-of-care patients.

The alternate wait-list management process can take effect for up to 120 days, after that time the minister may consider whether to extend it or not.

The Social Development minister can also prioritize nursing home admission for people in the community who are deemed to be at “exceptional risk” in regards to health and safety.

“Together, we are working to build a New Brunswick where seniors can age with dignity,” said Lyne Chantal Boudreau, minister responsible for seniors. “It is essential for us that our residents receive the right support, at the right time and from the right people.”

The province has 78 licensed nursing homes, providing 5,373 beds.

A new long-term care plan including a five-year nursing home plan is expected to be released by Social Development later this fall.

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