Dementia care services to move from Quinte Health to Providence Care

Regional transition aims to expand specialized behavioural supports for dementia patients across southeastern Ontario.

A specialized dementia care program serving patients across southeastern Ontario will soon transition from Quinte Health to Providence Care.

The Behavioural Support Transitional Unit, known as BSTU, has operated through Quinte Health in Belleville since 2014. The unit supports patients living with dementia and complex behavioural challenges.

In a joint media release, the organizations said they began reviewing the program in 2025 to determine the best long-term model of care. They concluded Providence Care has the specialized geriatric and behavioural health expertise needed to lead the service moving forward.

Quinte Health Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive Lina Rinaldi says patients and families deserve access to highly specialized supports that meet changing needs.

Providence Care Vice President Patient Care, Long Term Care and Chief Nursing Executive Darcy Woods-Fournier says the transition will strengthen community services and improve access to specialized dementia care.

Current patients will continue receiving care at Quinte Health while transition planning takes place.

The change will affect some staff positions connected to the BSTU program, although Quinte Health says many workers may be reassigned within the organization.

Story by Alyssa Brush