Ombud Charles Murray released findings of his office's investigation of complaints from patients alleging mistreatment at the Restigouche Hospital Centre in Campbellton, caused in part by chronic understaffing. Among its findings:
- The hospital has been unable to build a critical mass of clinical psychiatric expertise, which has resulted in significant delays in patients receiving assessments. In a number of cases, external experts also found the assessment work to be negligent.
- There was physical mistreatment of patients during staff responses to Code White incidents when patients exhibit aggressive behaviour that poses a danger to themselves and or staff.
- The current understaffing has created risk for hospital staff, because extra staff have to respond from other wings of the facility, causing delays.
Murray is calling for downgrading services at the hospital and for the government to reconsider the plan for the construction of an adjacent youth mental health facility. He posits that such a facility would face the same recruitment problems. Instead, he calls on the province to explore other potential uses for the hospital with its state-of-the-art design. In response to the report, the provincial government has hired a mental health expert to review issues raised in the report and to guide ongoing operational changes necessary to improve patient care and staff safety at the Restigouche Hospital Centre. George Weber, former president and CEO of Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, will review the issues raised in the report with the Vitalité Health Network and report back to the department. Additionally, the Vitalité Health Network said changes have been implemented as a result of its own reviews, including:
- Improving the process related to Code White responses. The number of Code Whites have decreased by over 50% and physical contact during these events has been reduced, as well;
- Improving the processes related to forensic psychiatric assessments. This has reduced the length of stays at the facility by 50% and eliminated issues related to overcapacity of the forensic unit; and
- Improving staffing ratios. A recent analysis indicated that the facility is sufficiently staffed to ensure the safety of patients and staff.
Related:
L’ombud demande une réduction des services au centre de santé mentale provincial à la suite d’une enquête sur des allégations de mauvais traitements et de soins inadéquats - Ombud N.-B.
Réponse du ministre au rapport de l’ombud sur le Centre hospitalier Restigouche - Gouvernement du Nouveau-Brunswick
Maltraitance dans un hôpital psychiatrique : Vitalité sur la défensive - ICI Radio-Canada
Multiples cas de mauvais traitements au Centre hospitalier Restigouche - ICI Radio-Canada
Des actes «de négligence et de violence» au Centre hospitalier Restigouche - Acadie Nouvelle
'A culture of silence and fear' at hospital: report - The Tribune
'Mistreatment and inadequate care' at psychiatric hospital, says NB ombud - CBC News