The New Brunswick government has issued a stark 30-day ultimatum to Horizon Health Network, demanding immediate prioritization for nursing home placements amid growing concerns over hospital bed shortages. This decisive policy shift, announced Tuesday, represents a significant intervention in healthcare management across the province’s stretched medical system.
In a formal directive, Health Minister Bruce Fitch has mandated that hospital patients awaiting long-term care must accept the first available nursing home bed within 100 kilometers of their community—or face potential financial penalties of $130 per day.
“Our hospitals were designed to care for the acutely ill, not to serve as waiting rooms for nursing home placements,” Fitch stated during Tuesday’s press conference. “With approximately 20% of hospital beds currently occupied by patients awaiting alternative care settings, we’re facing a critical capacity crisis that demands immediate action.”
The policy brings New Brunswick in line with neighboring Nova Scotia, which implemented similar measures in 2023. Hospital administrators have long identified the backlog of alternate level of care (ALC) patients as a primary contributor to emergency department overcrowding and surgical delays.
Horizon Health CEO Margaret Melanson acknowledged the complexity of the situation, noting that while approximately 340 patients across the network are currently designated as requiring alternative care settings, their circumstances vary significantly.
“Each patient represents a unique set of healthcare needs and personal circumstances,” Melanson explained. “Our teams are working diligently to ensure transitions occur with compassion while respecting the new provincial directive.”
The policy has sparked mixed reactions among healthcare advocates. Jean Mowatt, representing the New Brunswick Senior Citizens Federation, expressed concern about the potential impact on vulnerable seniors.
“While we understand the pressure on our healthcare system, forcing elderly individuals to relocate far from family support networks can have devastating effects on their well-being,” Mowatt said. “There needs to be reasonable accommodation for exceptional circumstances.”
The Department of Health’s data reveals the urgency behind the directive—emergency department wait times have increased by 23% over the past year, with surgical backlogs growing proportionally. Officials project that freeing up hospital beds occupied by ALC patients could potentially reduce emergency wait times by up to 35%.
Critics, however, question whether the 30-day timeline provides sufficient opportunity for nursing home operators to prepare for an influx of new residents. Industry representatives have highlighted ongoing staffing shortages that could compromise care quality if placements accelerate too rapidly.
“The success of this policy hinges on appropriate staffing and resources at receiving facilities,” noted Dr. Heather MacLean, geriatric specialist at Dalhousie University. “Simply transferring patients without ensuring adequate support systems risks trading one crisis for another.”
The province has committed an additional $12.8 million to support the transition, with funds earmarked for temporary staffing increases and transportation services. Officials emphasize that the policy includes appeal mechanisms for exceptional circumstances, though details remain limited.
As New Brunswick navigates this significant healthcare policy shift, the central question remains: can a system-focused approach to bed management coexist with patient-centered care principles, or will vulnerable seniors bear the burden of systemic inefficiencies in our healthcare system?
