Within Canada, N.B. has the highest proportion of alternate level of care (ALC) patients using hospital beds that are supposed to be dedicated to surgical and acute-care patients. As part of this review, an advisory group will be selected to look at the LTC system, which includes nursing and special care homes and deliver a final report to the legislature with recommendations in Oct. Horizon Health Network reported that, at the end of 2022, about 450 ALC patients with non-medical needs were occupying hospital beds, representing three out of every 10 hospital beds. A former health executive reiterates that the problem stems from special-care homes not being as closely regulated as nursing homes are and don’t have as high standards when it comes to medical care. He claims the health department should take over the file from social development, putting greater pressure on finding elderly people the care they need in communities, rather than leaving them in hospitals.
Related:
Le défenseur entreprend un examen systémique du système provincial de soins de longue durée - Bureau du défenseur des enfants, des jeunes et des aînés
N.B. child youth and seniors' advocate to conduct review of long-term care with focus on ALC patients
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February 14, 2023