Documents show Horizon staff raised alarm about ambulance bay unit long before public backlash
Substandard infection prevention, oxygen equipment among concerns from hospital staff
Horizon Health leadership fielded staff concerns about a makeshift hospital unit in an ambulance bay as far back as a year before it came into the public eye.
Those concerns span from infection prevention to temperature issues and loud noise, and are captured in documents obtained through a right-to-information request.
The Medical Transition Unit, or MTU, at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton made headlines in January after several people went public with their experiences on the unit — which was without running water, bathrooms or beds.
Horizon said the unit opened in December 2024, in response to hospital overcrowding, as a temporary space for patients waiting for admission to hospital.
Horizon staff had ‘major concerns’ about makeshift ambulance bay unitBut staff correspondence shows that the space became used more as a regular unit, with patients held there regularly for over a week.
After the public outcry in January, the network promised to move patients out of the ambulance bay and followed through in early April.
But long before that, documents show that staff within the hospital were sounding the alarm.
‘Elevated’ infection risks
On Jan. 7, Dr. Kimberley Barker, the regional medical officer of health, emailed Horizon with concerns about infections on the unit.
“I worry that patients in these units may become contaminated and, when finally discharged, may become a source of community based antibiotic resistant organisms such as cluster Dificil,” Barker wrote.
She asked Horizon for an opinion from the health authority’s infection prevention and control team.
But Horizon’s leadership team had already received that opinion.
Dr. Kimberley Barker, regional medical officer of health, reached out to Horizon with concerns about the ambulance bay. (CBC) In a briefing note dated November 2025, Horizon's regional infectious diseases medical director, Dr. Rossana Rosa, and regional infection prevention and control lead, Merita MacMillan, had raised a list of concerns about the unit and asked for urgent action.
They flag “key deficiencies” in the MTU, including inadequate ventilation and temperature controls, absence of sterile supply rooms, limited or no access to hand hygiene sinks, and suboptimal waste management.
“The prolonged use of the MTU as a quasi-inpatient unit — without appropriate infrastructure — poses elevated risks for healthcare-associated infections, [and] compromised environmental hygiene,” the brief said.
Clinical executive director David Arbeau also said in an email that Rosa had been raising these issues “for some time” but doesn’t specify for how long.
Clinical executive director David Arbeau acknowledged the infection prevention and control team concerns in an email. (Submitted by Horizon Health)But the brief makes it clear that Horizon’s infection prevention and control team wasn’t supportive of the MTU as it was being used.
“Many concerns raised by local [infection prevention and control] teams remain unresolved,” Rosa and MacMillan wrote.
“At no time during the planning, construction, or renovation … were [infection prevention and control] professionals consulted,” Rosa and MacMillan said.
Horizon did not provide Rosa or MacMillan for an interview about their report.
Barker was also not made available for interview, despite a request to the Department of Health.
Temperature concerns
In May 2025, staff began asking questions about how the unit would continue in the summer.
In an email on May 12, hospitalist department head Dr. Jeremy Myles said he had seen “no identifiable progress to prepare” for the hotter months.
“I'm not confident that bedside fans will cut it,” Myles said.
“It's one thing to pile blankets on cold elderly patients in the winter, but quite another to try to cool them down when it's >35 degrees in there. This could lead to some potential patient safety issues.”
The Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton has been facing shortages in bed space. (Shane Fowler/CBC News)On May 21, clinical executive director Tricia Murray said it was already “extremely warm” in the space.
“Last week during the hot spell it created some challenges for both patients and staff which will only get worse in the coming months.”
On May 22, an announcement went out that a new cooling system was purchased, but it’s not clear from the emails when exactly it became operational.
However, the network’s infection prevention and control team brief said that still wouldn’t be enough to meet standards.
Substandard equipment
Toward the end of summer 2025, Dr. Kate Hadley wrote with “major concerns” about oxygen equipment on the MTU.
“I recognize there are screening criteria for patients to be 'appropriate' to go there, however it often houses newer admissions who have higher likelihood of having a change in clinical status,” Hadley wrote.
“Patients in a hallway would not have plumbed in bedside oxygen or suction — but they would also not be staying in a hallway for 7-10 days.”
Hadley added that if the space is being used as a medical unit, there should be a goal to provide all the standard equipment.
That’s because the state of a patient can change fast, Hadley and Dr. Mark Tutschka pointed out.
“Main point from me is the obvious one…‘not sick’ inpatients can get sick unexpectedly and quickly,” Tutschka said by email.
“When this occurs a pathway for access to higher acuity capability and/or staffing is needed.”
Horizon published a standard operating procedure for transferring patients out of the MTU, but that didn’t take effect until Jan. 7, 2026.
The document lists reasons a patient should be considered high priority to leave the MTU — for example, those with oxygen therapy needs or with a transmissible illness.
Staff report ‘headaches, ringing in the ears’
In January 2025, nurse manager Sophie Cholette wrote to an executive director with concerns about her staff working on the MTU.
“Staff have been voicing concerns about the fan. They report going home with headaches, ringing in the ears and sensitive to noise,” Cholette said.
“Staff do not feel they can work in MTU a few days in a row. Some staff will only be assigned here, and I don't want to cause them harm.”
Cholette worried about the long-term impact the noise might have on staff.
But added the fan heats the ambulance bay and they would lose heat if staff turned it off.
Facilities manager Richard Schriver said he would send someone to look at the fan — but said it was likely functioning as intended.
“These fans are made for an ‘ambulance bay’ and by nature are noisy,” Schriver said.
The documents provided to CBC News show the area was tested, and noise fell within the acceptable level set by provincial workplace safety laws.
Horizon spokesperson Kris McDavid said those concerns would have been resolved when the new heating and cooling system for the garage was purchased.
CBC is not responsible for 3rd party content
Corrections
- A previous version of this story spelled the last name of Dr. Jeremy Myles incorrectly.Apr 20, 2026 10:02 AM EDT
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Innovative partnership aims to offer less invasive cancer treatment for New Brunswick patients
June 6, 2024
SAN DIEGO, CA - Thursday, June 6, 2024 РHorizon Health Network (Horizon), through an innovative partnership with Roche Canada, the New Brunswick Extra-Mural Program, the Government of New Brunswick and ResearchNB, and with the support of the Vitalit̩ Health Network, is poised to deliver to patients in the province a cancer treatment formulation with the potential to be more accessible and less invasive.
The initiative, which originated with a research study led by Horizon medical oncologists Dr. Mahmoud Abdelsalam, Dr. Luisa Galvis and Dr. James Michael was formally announced by the New Brunswick delegation during the annual BIO International Convention taking place in San Diego, California.
Through this innovative research initiative, patients in New Brunswick who have been diagnosed with lung cancer will have the opportunity to receive a new, Health Canada authorized subcutaneous cancer immunotherapy formulation administered in their place of residence, delivered through a simple injection.
"Through our commitment to harnessing innovative partnerships and cutting-edge research, Horizon Health Network is dedicated to delivering better access and care for patients,” said Jennifer Sheils, Horizon’s VP Strategy, Transformation and Chief Innovation Officer. “I’d like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners and lead investigators in this ground-breaking study for their invaluable collaboration, which has made this exciting initiative possible."
Up until now, patients were required to travel to a hospital to receive treatment via an IV infusion formulation, which can take anywhere from 30-60 minutes, compared to approximately 7 minutes through subcutaneous injection.
By bringing this newer formulation – which will be administered by nurses with the New Brunswick Extra-Mural Program (EMP) – directly to patients, this study hopes to demonstrate an improved patient experience, by eliminating the need for travel, while potentially improving the patient experience through a far less invasive process.
"We are very pleased to work with our partners at Horizon to help New Brunswickers receive important treatment in the comfort of their homes," says Ginette Pellerin, Vice-President of the Extra-Mural Program. "Our health care professionals at the Extra-Mural Program take great pride in caring for our patients, and this partnership is another innovative way to expand and evolve the care we provide."
Some of the key benefits of subcutaneous formulations to the patient, compared to traditional IV formulations can include:
Reduced treatment time, helping patients to spend less time receiving their treatment.
Potentially less discomfort, pain and irritation during treatment.
Patient-tailored care, enabling treatment both in and out of hospital, to best meet the patient’s needs.
This approach to care delivery may also free up valuable time and resources for health care system operations, by relieving strain on infusion centres and enabling more patients to be treated more quickly, while also having a positive impact on the hospital workflow, helping health services maximize value and reducing overall costs per patient. Through this innovative research framework, our expectation is to demonstrate these benefits for patients, providers, and the healthcare system in New Brunswick.
“We would like to commend Horizon Health and all partners for their important demonstration of what it means to be a learning health system. This project not only allows us to learn and prepare for future innovative treatment formulations, including subcutaneous options, but also looks to make accessing and receiving cancer treatment easier for patients in need," said Brigitte Nolet, President and CEO of Roche Canada Pharma. "By understanding the impacts and potential benefits of this new model of care delivery on patients, caregivers, providers, and the healthcare system in New Brunswick, we can all benefit from their leadership and commitment to driving innovation in Canadian health care."
Horizon would like to recognize the critical role of our partners at ResearchNB for identifying exciting opportunities such as this and for serving as a connector between industry and health care organizations like Horizon to help drive innovative solutions forward.
“Research powers discovery,” said ResearchNB chief executive officer Damon Goodwin. “It can change lives and strengthen our health care system. Our organization is pleased to champion intentional research projects such as this one that improves access to care, fosters a more efficient use of healthcare resources and reduces travel for New Brunswick patients.”
Horizon promotes a culture where research and innovation can flourish. Horizon Research Services carries out approximately 250 clinical trials for various treatments and solutions annually, in addition to roughly 300 investigator-led studies.
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Photo, from left: Damon Goodwin, CEO of Research NB; Brigitte Nolet, President and CEO of Roche Canada Pharma; Bruce Fitch, New Brunswick Minister of Health, and Margaret Melanson, President and CEO of Horizon Health Network, are shown following at BIO 2024 in San Diego, California.
About Horizon Health Network
Horizon Health Network is the largest regional health authority – and one of the largest employers – in New Brunswick, and the second-largest health authority in Atlantic Canada. Our leadership and health care providers are experts in diverse areas of health and community services and provide services to a half a million people. Horizon has an annual budget of approximately $1.2 billion and has more than 13,000 employees, 1,100 physicians and 1,300 volunteers, as well as 17 foundations, 12 auxiliaries and 8 alumnae organizations.
About Roche Canada
At Roche, patients and science are at the heart of everything we do. Our passion for science and our commitment to relentlessly pursuing the impossible for patients have made us one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical, in vitro diagnostics, and diabetes care management companies.
With our combined strength in diagnostics and pharmaceuticals, we’re driving personalized healthcare forward, while ensuring we deliver meaningful benefits for patients and a sustainable healthcare system. Because we’re committed to making quality healthcare accessible to everyone.
And we’re adding our expertise in new areas, such as artificial intelligence, real world data collection and analysis and collaborating with many different sectors and industries.
Having the courage to reinvent ourselves and question the status quo is what patients and the healthcare system expect from Roche—and our commitment is as strong today as it was on the first day of our Canadian journey in 1931. Today, Roche Canada employs more than 1,800 people across the country through its Pharmaceuticals division in Mississauga, Ontario, as well as its Diagnostics and Diabetes Care divisions in Laval, Quebec.
For more information, please visit www.RocheCanada.com or follow Roche Canada on LinkedIn, or on X @RocheCanada.
About ResearchNB
ResearchNB is the province’s research and innovation enabler. With offices in Fredericton, Saint John and Moncton, it provides New Brunswick’s research sector with critical leadership and support including advocacy, initial funding, connections to potential partners, and the translation of science into economic opportunities. Projects developed in partnership with ResearchNB help New Brunswickers to thrive through research that leads to new, innovative business practices and products.
About Medavie Health Services NB/New Brunswick Extramural Program
The New Brunswick Extra-Mural Program (EMP) delivers primary health care services to New Brunswickers of all ages in their homes and communities. EMP, known by many as the “hospital without walls”, includes a team of over 850 professionals who provide quality home health care services to eligible residents when their needs can be met safely in the community. EMP operates on a client and family centered model with a focus on building and maintaining partnerships with clients and their families, physicians, agencies, departments and other service providers to best meet patient needs.
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Message from our CEOs
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Thank you for taking the time to visit our site and learn more about Roche Canada. As the leader in personalized healthcare and integrated Personalized Diabetes Management (iPDM), we provide breakthrough medicines, in vitro diagnostics and devices using expertise in science, technology and data so that people can live better lives.
As part of a global company, we are proud of our humble beginnings in Canada. In 1931 we started our journey with six employees working out of a small facility in Montreal, Quebec. Today, we employ more than 1,500 people and are proudly voted by our employees as a Great Place to Work 2022. We believe diversity of background, thought and experience is key to uncovering new insights and unique approaches to addressing healthcare challenges.
Though much has changed in the last 91 years, we stay true to our roots while at the same time relentlessly challenging the status quo across the entire healthcare system. We are adding our expertise in new areas, such as artificial intelligence, real world data collection and analysis, and collaborating with many different sectors and industries. That’s because we believe that no one person, company or industry has solutions to the complex challenges we face in healthcare. Through collaboration, we will all bring ideas and solutions that ensure we’re doing what is best for people and to create sustainable systems.
To us, success is defined by the lives we touch, and, ultimately, by the lives we help improve. In 2021 alone, one in five Canadians was tested using a Roche diagnostic product, our medicines were used to treat more than 290,000 Canadians and many more experienced relief from their daily therapy routines brought by our diabetes care solutions. We’re an innovator across major disease areas, including oncology, neurology, infectious diseases, diabetes and ophthalmology.
Just as we believe in our innovations of today, we are partnering with patients, caregivers, health care providers and stakeholders to ensure that our future innovations will lead to meaningful patient benefits and sustainable healthcare system change, where:
what is best for patients, as defined by patients, is unequivocally rooted at the centre of all decisions and at the heart of healthcare system design;
the collection and transparent sharing of health data among researchers, healthcare providers and policy makers ensures they are equipped with real world evidence to make data and value-driven decisions;
innovation is not viewed as a cost or barrier but, rather, as the unimaginable made possible and the cornerstone to diagnosing, treating and preventing disease, and as a key driver to the health of our economy; and,
patients, communities and health systems reap the health and financial benefits of putting patients first, collecting and sharing data, and investing in the future of innovative, personalized care.
At Roche, our passionate and diverse people bring together science, technology, and the power of our networks to enable more resilient, sustainable healthcare for all. This is what drives each and every employee across our organization. This is what makes us Roche.
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President and General Manager Roche Diagnostics Canada
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President & CEO Roche Pharma Canada
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