A New Brunswick health authority has apologized to patients who were harmed by the improper use of restraints and seclusion rooms, as reported by the province's ombud this week.

The investigation by Ombud Marie-France Pelletier began after several complaints from psychiatric patients at the Restigouche Hospital Centre, operated by Vitalité Health Network, between 2021 and 2023.

One patient reported being sexually assaulted by staff while restrained at the limbs, waist and neck. A spit hood, a bag placed over a patient's head to protect staff from saliva, was also on the person's head at the time.

Other patients were left so long in seclusion rooms that they had to urinate or defecate on the floor. WATCH | 'We're talking about human lives here': Patient's father demands change:

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