3 days ago
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.
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