Special Care Homes Sit Empty as Patients Face Terrible Hospital Conditions

Special care home operators in New Brunswick are challenging Premier Susan Holt's claim that housing hospital patients in ambulance bays is the only option. These makeshift units reportedly lack running water and bathrooms, conditions described as "terrible" and "disgusting" by those with firsthand experience. Despite these dire circumstances, hundreds of beds in privately-owned, provincially-regulated special care homes remain unoccupied across the province.

Former operators and the New Brunswick Special Care Home Association report over 500 vacant beds, including those offering specialized dementia and memory care. They argue that these facilities could provide better care than the current hospital overflow solutions. Systemic issues, including lengthy assessment processes and a failure to collaborate between departments, are cited as primary barriers to utilizing these vacant beds efficiently.

While the province states efforts are underway to utilize special care home capacity, operators remain unconvinced, pointing to past successful rapid placements during the COVID-19 pandemic. They advocate for a more proactive approach to move patients out of hospitals and into suitable community care settings, preventing further deterioration and improving the quality of life for seniors.