The province says it will cut emergency-room operating hours at six New Brunswick hospitals and convert acute-care beds to long-term care beds in response to a shortage of staff and beds. Patients in need of acute or hospital care will not be admitted to those hospitals. The province said cutting overnight ER hours at the six hospitals will free up more doctors to work during the day, when demand for service is higher. In January, the province announced the creation of 32 new nurse-practitioner positions to reduce the burden on hospital emergency departments. More mental health servicesThe regional health authorities are also reviewing "several service areas" to address wait times, aging population, rising demand for mental health services.

Source: CBC News February 11, 2020 15:19 UTC