Horizon Health is still working to reduce the number of alternate level of care (ALC) patients in hospitals.
However, the president and CEO of the regional health authority admits it will not be an easy task.
“I would say this continues to be a challenge for us,” Margaret Melanson said during a news conference on Thursday.
Melanson was responding to questions from reporters about Horizon’s first-quarter report.
It showed just under 34 per cent of beds were occupied by ALC patients, including seniors waiting for long-term care.
The goal is to bring that number down to 20 per cent by 2026 but Horizon still has a long way to go before that happens.
“There are some potential partnerships with the Department of Social Development and we’re looking forward to those hopefully moving forward in the months ahead, however, at this point in time, I will be honest, we continue to have our ALC challenges,” said Melanson.
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For example, Horizon and the department are launching a new assessment process for ALC patients awaiting placement in long-term care settings.
Horizon will oversee assessments for placing patients in community care settings in the Fredericton area. This includes long-term care placement assessments, arranging interim home support services, and coordinating support services for patients transitioning back to the community or into long-term care.
The new assessment process is expected to expand to other Horizon hospitals in the future, according to the quarterly report.
“We need to really address this as expeditiously as possible. It is one of the main challenges within our health-care system today,” said Melanson.
“New Brunswick faces the dual challenges of both an aging and growing population, making enhanced access to primary care a key focus for Horizon.”
At the peak, 38 per cent of Horizon’s hospital beds were occupied by ALC patients in June 2023. That was compared to 23 per cent around the start of the pandemic in April 2020.
