THUNDER BAY — A new addition to the hospital will increase capacity to handle mental health and addictions emergencies.
The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) announced that it will open a new in-hospital emergency mental health and addictions assessment and observation area.
“With the steady rise of mental health and substance use visits at our hospital, we are in a unique position and it provides significant health care challenges that are systemic in nature,” said Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and CEO of the TBRHSC.
The renovation will create a dedicated area for patients, separate from the main emergency department, better equipping the facility to deliver responsive and comprehensive care to those in crisis.
It will have state-of-the-art space for nurses and physicians to access patients, enhanced programming and care development and direct access from the emergency department triage.
“This investment is vital to reduce health care inequities across Northwestern Ontario and enhance both clinical care and service excellence for the patients that we serve,” said Crocker Ellacott.
Dr. Kyle Lansdell, chief of the emergency department, said the TBRHSC is the only Schedule 1 facility for mental health services in the entire Thunder Bay District.
“What that means for us is we're seeing escalated patients requiring mental health services on a year-to-year basis and that, at times, we've been very strained to provide the level of care that we expect from this organization that patients deserve,” said Lansdell.
He said he is thrilled and confident that the expansion to their emergency department will be a step forward in achieving that level of care.
“We're going to be seeing an improved capacity to see mental health and addiction patients without interrupting any of our current operations. And so when these beds are not necessarily being needed for mental health, we'll certainly be able to use them for other presentations as well,” said Dr. Lansdell.
He said the dedicated area is vital not only to allow patients safe, comfortable, confidential and not stigmatized care but also staff to observe these patients with safe, direct and improved interactions.
The ministry is working alongside the hospital to complete the project's early planning and design, including finalizing the project cost and grant.
Kevin Holland, the MPP for Thunder Bay—Atikokan, said addressing mental health and addiction concerns is critical to building a stronger and healthier community.
He said this initiative is part of the government's 'Your Health' plan.
“Together, we are building a health care system that meets people's health care requirements and ensures that no one gets left behind no matter where they live or what their medical needs are,” said Holland.
With Monday's announcement as the first step of many in the project, Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, said she looks forward to watching its progress and celebrating each milestone as this project comes to fruition.
“Investing in targeted services like the new emergency mental health and addictions assessment and observation area is one more way our government continues to break down barriers to mental health and addictions care in communities across Ontario, connecting thousands when and where they need it,” said Jones.
The construction schedule for the new area will be confirmed once future planning is complete and the project is tendered and awarded.
