Major Policy Shift in New Brunswick Healthcare
New Brunswick has implemented a significant change in its healthcare approach by discontinuing the practice of prioritizing hospital patients for long-term care placements at four major medical facilities. This policy shift, announced in November 2025, marks a substantial departure from previous patient management strategies that aimed to reduce hospital overcrowding.
Affected Hospitals and Implementation Timeline
The policy change took effect at four New Brunswick hospitals, including the prominent Saint John Regional Hospital. According to reports from November 19, 2025, the elimination of this prioritization system represents a fundamental restructuring of how patients transition from acute hospital care to long-term care facilities.
This decision comes after years of using the prioritization system to manage patient flow and address bed shortages within hospital settings. The practice had been particularly important for elderly patients and those with chronic conditions who required ongoing care but remained in hospital beds due to limited long-term care availability.
Potential Impacts on Patient Care and Hospital Operations
Healthcare experts anticipate several consequences from this policy adjustment. Hospital administrators may face increased pressure on bed availability as patients awaiting long-term care placements could potentially remain in acute care settings for extended periods.
The change also raises questions about how patients will navigate the transition between different levels of care without the previous prioritization mechanism. Families and caregivers may need to become more involved in coordinating care transitions for their loved ones.
This policy revision occurs within the broader context of New Brunswick's ongoing efforts to optimize its healthcare system and address challenges related to aging infrastructure and growing healthcare demands. The provincial government has indicated that additional measures to support patient flow management will be implemented alongside this change.
Healthcare advocates are monitoring the situation closely to assess how the elimination of hospital patient prioritization will affect wait times for long-term care placements and overall hospital efficiency throughout the province.
