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Belleville’s Quinte Health and Kingston’s Providence Care have announced plans to transfer regional dementia behavioural support services to Providence Care as part of an effort to strengthen specialized care across southeastern Ontario.
The Behavioural Support Transitional Unit (BSTU), which has operated at Quinte Health since 2014, provides care for patients living with dementia and complex behavioural challenges. The program serves patients from across the region.
The decision follows a review that began in 2025 to determine the most appropriate model of care for patients with complex behavioural and geriatric needs. The organizations said specialized programs of this type are typically delivered by providers with dedicated geriatric expertise and regional behavioural health resources.
Under the plan, Providence Care will take over responsibility for the program and expand access to behavioural, geriatric, transitional and community-based supports.
Patients currently receiving care through the BSTU will continue to be treated at Quinte Health while transition planning moves forward. Both organizations said patient safety, continuity of care and the patient experience will remain priorities throughout the process.
The transition will affect some staff positions. Quinte Health said many employees are expected to have opportunities for reassignment, while other staffing changes will be managed through collective agreements and discussions with union partners.
Additional details, including timelines, will be announced as planning continues.
