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- calendar_today October 14, 2026
New Acute Care Unit Opens at Caraquet's Sole Hospital
Hôpital de l’Enfant‑Jésus in Caraquet has expanded its capacity with the opening of a new unit featuring 10 acute care beds, increasing the hospital’s total number of beds from 12 to 22. Staff and healthcare providers have welcomed the addition, expressing hope that it will help alleviate recent staff shortages and hospital wait times.
Staffing Challenges and Emergency Room Updates
The development comes amid reported departures of emergency room doctors from the hospital, creating challenges in maintaining emergency services, particularly overnight coverage. Dr. Gilbert Blanchard, a family physician at the hospital, described the addition as vital for supporting existing staff and improving care for patients.
Blanchard told Radio-Canada that both he and Dr. Carl Boucher, another local physician, will be returning to work at the emergency department to help strengthen the team during this transition period. Both have previously dedicated their family practice to hospital care but are now focusing specifically on addressing needs in the ER.
Boost to Hospital Capacity and Healthcare Staffing
The province announced that the new unit would create approximately 25 new, full-time positions in nursing, physiotherapy, and social work. This expansion is expected to provide increased healthcare staff support in Caraquet, where the hospital serves as the only local medical facility, with the next closest hospitals located 30 to 50 minutes away in Tracadie and Bathurst.
Modern Facilities and Patient-Focused Features
The unit, with a cost of $8.3 million, includes individual rooms designed to provide both medical and palliative care. Each room is equipped with advanced medical equipment, such as patient hoists for those with mobility challenges, and features negative pressure systems to reduce the risk and spread of airborne diseases. These features are aimed at improving patient care and safety, particularly during outbreaks.
Dany Paul Haché, a patient currently cared for in the new unit, praised the comfort and privacy offered by the individual rooms.
Impact on Hospital Services and Wait Times
The addition of these acute care beds is intended to help decrease hospital wait times and better support both patients and the staff at l'Hôpital de l'Enfant‑Jésus. The unit welcomed its first patient on October 5, according to a release from the Vitalité Health Network. Hospital administrators and healthcare providers continue to focus on recruiting new emergency room doctors and maintaining the quality of patient care in the region.
About the Hospital
L'Hôpital de l'Enfant‑Jésus offers emergency care seven days a week, general medicine, and palliative care services. The recent expansion is part of ongoing efforts to address hospital staffing shortages and ensure the hospital can meet the healthcare needs of its community.
Source: cbc.ca.
