A health authority in New Brunswick has issued an apology to patients who suffered due to the incorrect use of restraints and seclusion rooms, following an investigation by the province’s ombud. The inquiry by Ombud Marie-France Pelletier was prompted by complaints from psychiatric patients at the Restigouche Hospital Centre, operated by Vitalité Health Network, during the years 2021 to 2023.
One patient mentioned being sexually assaulted by staff while restrained at the limbs, waist, and neck, with a spit hood placed over their head to protect against saliva. There were instances where patients were left in seclusion rooms for extended periods, leading them to urinate or defecate on the floor.
The investigation revealed that patients spent varying lengths of time in seclusion rooms and physically restrained to beds. Vitalité has accepted all the recommendations made in Pelletier’s report, which include enhancing policies, monitoring, and documentation related to restraints and seclusion rooms to prevent such incidents from reoccurring.
Sébastien Lagacé, the associate vice-president of mental health and addiction at the francophone hospital network, stated that significant changes are underway to prevent similar occurrences in the future. However, Lagacé did not provide details about any consequences for the staff involved in the reported cases.
Darrell Tidd, whose son was a long-term resident at the Restigouche Hospital Centre, acknowledged the apology from Vitalité but emphasized the urgent need for tangible improvements to prevent further mistreatment.
Former ombud and child and youth advocate Bernard Richard expressed his concern over the distressing details outlined in the report, highlighting the systemic challenges in mental health care. He emphasized the importance of continuous efforts to address such issues and improve patient care.
Lagacé mentioned that Vitalité is committed to implementing all recommendations in the report over the next few years. The ombud aims to gather more information from health authorities in the province for ongoing progress assessments.
During the presentation of her report, Pelletier shared an incident where a patient was subjected to unnecessary force without subsequent medical evaluation. Despite such disturbing incidents, some staff members were observed providing compassionate care by engaging with patients positively.
While the investigation originated from complaints at the Restigouche Hospital Centre, the ombud highlighted the lack of monitoring by both regional health authorities regarding the use of restraints and seclusion in psychiatric care.
In response to the ombud’s findings, the English-language Horizon Health Network did not offer an apology but committed to submitting a plan with timelines for addressing the identified gaps by December. Vice-president Natasha Lemieux emphasized the network’s dedication to enhancing psychiatric care in a transparent and timely manner.