Some spending years in N.B. psychiatric beds because housing options scarce, says ombud – CBC

Estimated 40% of psychiatric hospital patients ready to leave, but have nowhere to go

Oct 03, 2025

A psychiatric patient lived in a Campbellton hospital for more than 20 years before an intervention from the New Brunswick ombud led to her finding a home in the community for the last few months of her life.

That was just one example of a patient living in psychiatric care for far longer than necessary, an investigation by Ombud Marie-France Pelletier has found.

Her latest report calls that patient “Isabelle,” and says she was left in restraints at the Restigouche Hospital Centre for extended periods on a daily basis. The ombud began to work with Social Development on finding Isabelle a placement, and eventually she was moved out of the hospital and into a care home.

“Once there, she was able to enjoy more social interactions with her family and peers,” the report says.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/long-psychiatric-hospitalizations-housing-1.7647947