Latest news with #NursingHomeAct
CTV News
2 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Minister of Social Development gets more power after changes to Nursing Home Act in New Brunswick
The Department of Social Development now has the ability to fast-track patients from hospital beds to nursing homes in New Brunswick after the province made changes to the Nursing Home Act. According to a news release from the province on Friday, changes will eliminate the previous 'critical state' admission process for alternate-level-of-care patients waiting for nursing home placements and allow the Minister of Social Development to interrupt if over the previous seven days, hospital bed occupancy has exceeded 95 per cent and more than 25 per cent of those beds were alternate-level-of-care patients. 'We know this situation didn't develop overnight, and, while it won't be solved overnight, our government is tackling it head-on with a commitment to lasting change for New Brunswickers,' said Social Development Minister Cindy Miles in the release. 'We're focused not only on short-term solutions, but also on building the right supports and services in our communities to create a more sustainable future.' The new wait-list management process can take effect for up to 120 days in the province's eight regional hospitals. After that time the province says the minister may consider whether it should be extended. 'By prioritizing these patients for nursing home placement when hospital occupancy is critically high, we can improve patient flow, reduce overcrowding, and ensure patients are cared for in the most appropriate setting for their needs,' said Margaret Melanson, president and CEO of the Horizon Health Network in the release. Additionally, the province says the department may prioritize for nursing home admission people in the community who are deemed to be at exceptional risk with respect to health and safety. People approved under this process will supersede admissions from hospitals. 'This reform will help us keep our hospital beds available for patients who need them most, while providing those waiting for long-term care with an environment better suited to their needs,' said Jenny Toussaint, vice-president of clinical logistics at Vitalité Health Network in the release. A total of 640 nursing home beds have been awarded since 2021 under the 2018–2023 Nursing Home Plan; 460 of those beds have opened, with another 180 currently under construction. Social Development is currently developing a new long-term care plan, including a five-year nursing home plan that expected to be released later this fall. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
Hindustan Times
07-08-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
PMC issues show-cause notice to four private hospitals for violation of nursing home norms
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued show-cause notice to four private hospitals in the city for alleged violation of the Bombay Nursing Home Registration Act, 1949, and Maharashtra Nursing Home Registration (Amendment) Rules, 2021, officials said. Dr Sanjay Patil, national secretary, Hospital Board of India, said that the scope of the inspection by the PMC is unclear and needs to be well-defined, including the level at which it should be conducted. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO) The PMC issued notice to these hospitals on Tuesday, May 5; they are located in Shivajinagar and Dhankawdi, and were identified during a month-long drive conducted within the PMC limits, officials said. The PMC had started a suo moto inspection of hospitals registered with the civic body in July this year, and as many as 265 such hospitals and nursing homes were inspected. Dr Suryakant Devkar, assistant health officer, PMC, said that the four private hospitals issued notice were allegedly found operating without Nursing Home Act compliance. 'Two hospitals were found operating without a valid fire no-objection certificate (NOC) and complaint book for patients. A couple of hospitals have failed to put up a treatment tariff and patients' charter of rights,' he said. Dr Devkar further informed that the said hospitals have been given a period of one month to complete compliance. 'Post compliance, they have to submit a compliance report to us. The ward medical officers will conduct a reinspection of these hospitals. In case of failure, stringent action will be taken against them as per provisions of the Nursing Home Act,' he said. Whereas Dr Sanjay Patil, national secretary, Hospital Board of India, said that the scope of the inspection by the PMC is unclear and needs to be well-defined, including the level at which it should be conducted. 'Many hospitals have applied for the fire NOC but face technical issues with the online system. If an application is submitted by the hospital, it should be treated as compliance, even if the document is pending. Not all hospitals can display a large number of treatment traffic and patients' charter of rights. Moreover, the PMC must be sensitive when considering the complaints received against private hospitals,' he said. There are as many as 876 nursing homes and hospitals registered with the PMC. The ward medical officers of the PMC conduct inspections, and notices are issued to hospitals found violating the norms. Inspection of all 876 hospitals registered with the PMC will be completed by August, officials said.
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Dead bodies cannot be withheld over unpaid bills: PMC notice to private hospitals
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Friday issued orders to all private hospitals, nursing homes, and medical establishments within its jurisdiction stating that under no circumstances, dead bodies should be held hostage over unpaid bills or other reasons. 'In case of a patient's death, after completing the necessary medico-legal procedures, the body must be handed over to the relatives. In no circumstances should the body be withheld for non-payment of dues or any other reason,' said Dr Suryakant Devkar, assistant health officer of PMC. The letter issued by PMC's health department stated that private hospitals and nursing homes within PMC's jurisdiction are granted registration under the provisions of the Bombay Nursing Homes Act, 1949. Registration renewal is also issued after the stipulated period. However, following the norms mentioned in the Act is mandatory. Earlier, on April 7 PMC had issued a show cause notice to Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, seeking an explanation for allegedly holding the dead body of a 54-year-old deceased patient hostage for eight hours, due to non-payment of the medical bills by the patient's family. Similarly, a show cause notice was issued to Poona Hospital on April 28, for allegedly mishandling and holding the dead body of a deceased patient for eight hours, said the officials. As per the provisions of The Bombay Nursing Homes Act, 1949 and the Government of Maharashtra notification dated January 14, 2021, it is expected that hospital administration deals courteously with all patients. 'Through this letter, you are hereby informed that it is mandatory for your nursing home, hospital to strictly follow all the instructions under The Bombay Nursing Homes Act, 1949 and the Government of Maharashtra notification dated 14th January 2021, especially Rule No. 11 (j) and (l) from the said notification,' read the letter. Dr Nina Borade, health chief of PMC, emphasised that according to the Nursing Home Act and its amended regulations, all healthcare institutions are required to provide basic life-saving treatment to critical patients as a priority, regardless of their financial situation. 'In the event of a patient's death, after completing the necessary medico-legal procedures, the body must be returned to the relatives. In no circumstances should the body be withheld due to non-payment of dues or for any other reason. In such cases, stern action will be taken by the PMC,' she added. Dr Sanjay Patil, national secretary, Hospital Board of India, said, 'There is a clause in the Nursing Home Act that dead bodies cannot be held hostage for the unpaid bill. All hospitals in the city follow the rules. If such cases happen, it must be due to misunderstandings. Such incidents come to light when a misunderstanding between the hospital administration and the patient's relative happens.'
