An investigation by Ombud Marie-France Pelletier revealed that a psychiatric patient, known as “Isabelle,” resided at the Restigouche Hospital Centre in Campbellton for over two decades unnecessarily. Isabelle was frequently restrained for prolonged periods until the ombud intervened and facilitated her relocation to a care home in the community.
Following her transfer, Isabelle experienced enhanced social interactions with her family and peers. Tragically, she passed away a few months later, but her family appreciated the improved quality of life she enjoyed during her final months.
New Brunswick’s ombud advocates for additional supportive housing for individuals with severe developmental or intellectual disabilities and mental health concerns.
The ombud’s office conducted interviews with hospital staff statewide, revealing that psychiatric patients often wait more than a year for community placements to transition out of hospital care.
According to the report, if a suitable placement is not secured, Social Development typically closes the patient’s file, halting active efforts to find them a community residence.
Pelletier emphasized that patients with complex needs, like intellectual disabilities or developmental disorders, end up in hospitals due to behavioral challenges, such as aggression, as alternative care options are lacking.
CBC News highlighted the case of Devan Tidd, an autistic individual who spent nearly a decade at the Restigouche Hospital Centre before being held in a federal prison under a provincial agreement. The New Brunswick Review Board recently approved his discharge into the community, albeit with a projected delay in securing housing.
During discussions on Tidd’s discharge, his psychiatrist anticipated a potential delay of several months in finding suitable housing, a concern that Minister of Social Development Cindy Miles declined to address when questioned by CBC News.
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