Ombud report finds many New Brunswick psychiatric patients wait years for housing, straining hospitals and delaying community reintegration.
Patients Remain in Hospitals Due to Housing Shortages
New Brunswick psychiatric patients are spending years in hospitals because adequate community housing options are scarce, an investigation by Ombud Marie-France Pelletier reveals. One patient, identified as “Isabelle,” spent more than 20 years at the Restigouche Hospital Centre before the ombud intervened to secure her a home in the community.
Delays in Placement Impact Patient Well-Being
Pelletier’s report notes that psychiatric patients are often ready for discharge but remain hospitalized for lack of suitable placements. Interviews with hospital staff indicate many wait a year or longer for community housing. Without active support from Social Development, patients’ files may be closed, halting ongoing placement searches.
Complex Needs Lead to Institutionalization
Patients with intellectual disabilities or developmental disorders are frequently admitted to hospitals for behavioural challenges due to the absence of alternative supports. The report cites the case of Devan Tidd, an autistic man held in a federal prison after nearly a decade in hospital care. Even after discharge approval, securing community housing may take months.
Government Response and Housing Initiatives
Minister of Social Development Cindy Miles acknowledged housing gaps but emphasized efforts to expand options. Housing New Brunswick has opened seven new public housing developments this year, including two supportive housing complexes in Moncton, with discussions ongoing to create additional spaces.
Systemic Strain on Health-Care Providers
Hospital staff report that extended stays for patients who could be in the community place pressure on psychiatric units and staff. Sébastien Lagacé of Vitalité Health Network said nearly 40% of Restigouche Hospital patients are ready for discharge but lack community placements, creating barriers to reintegration and overcrowding in hospitals.
Financial and Policy Implications
Experts warn that prolonged hospitalization is costly. Julia Woodhall-Melnik, a housing researcher, highlighted the absence of high-support housing for patients with chronic mental conditions in New Brunswick. She emphasized that addressing housing gaps now is far less expensive than prolonged hospital care later.
Solutions Exist but Require Prioritization
University of Ottawa professor emeritus Tim Aubry noted that supportive housing paired with wraparound services and mobile health teams can help patients reintegrate into society. Existing Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) teams could be combined with housing solutions, yet governments struggle to align resources effectively. Aubry described the housing crisis as a reflection of broader social and health policy failures in Canada.
