Horizon Health Network has announced plans to discontinue the practice of admitting patients to an ambulance bay at Fredericton’s hospital by spring. The regional health authority has utilized the space, known as the medical transition unit (MTU), to accommodate up to 13 admitted patients since late 2024. Unlike traditional hospital units, the MTU is situated in an ambulance bay outside the hospital, lacking access to essential amenities like running water and bathrooms.
Recently, concerns were raised regarding the conditions in the unit, following an open letter from a registered nurse in Fredericton, which led to public outcry and criticism from Premier Susan Holt. Patients in the unit have reportedly had to use a commode for toileting needs and pails of water for hygiene purposes.
Horizon Health Network’s decision to cease utilizing the ambulance bay for admitted patients involves relocating some outpatient services to a space outside the hospital. Margaret Melanson, Horizon’s president and CEO, clarified that the decision was not a direct response to the recent backlash but was part of a planned transition due to the suboptimal nature of the MTU.
The relocation plan will involve moving outpatient electrodiagnostic and respiratory therapy services to the community and transferring ambulatory care clinics from the inpatient unit to the vacated space. This strategic move will free up space on the inpatient unit for the medical transition unit, allowing the hospital to discontinue using the ambulance bay for patient admissions.
While Horizon has not disclosed the exact location for the relocated outpatient services yet, they assured that details would be shared once finalized. Fredericton-Lincoln MLA David Coon welcomed the change but questioned the delay in action by the health authority, emphasizing the importance of timely problem-solving in hospital management.
Horizon also confirmed that the ambulance bay will not revert to its previous use and will undergo renovations to include essential facilities for clinical care. This renovated space will serve as an extension of the emergency department during the renovation process. However, concerns have been raised about paramedics having to unload patients outdoors in a parking lot under the new plan.
Melanson highlighted the health authority’s focus on addressing capacity issues, particularly the growing number of patients awaiting long-term care at Chalmers. The hospital reported an increase in medically discharged patients awaiting long-term care, prompting the need to move non-essential services outside the hospital to create additional capacity.