A new section of the hospital in Thunder Bay will be dedicated to support residents and families dealing with mental health emergencies and addictions.
The new space was the focus of an announcement on Monday in the city and will offer a private space to assess patients and their needs.
It will be accessible through the emergency department and is part of the province’s plan to address gaps in the health care system and upgrade hospitals in Ontario.
“Our government is making record investments to connect more people to the care they need, when they need it, no matter where they live,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By building a new assessment and observation area at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, our government is ensuring people and families in Thunder Bay and across Northwestern Ontario have faster access to mental health and addictions support services for years to come.”
The new mental health area will include:
- A new space designed to provide care in a safe and private setting for patients and their families
- Modern, state-of-the-art space for nurses and physicians to assess patients
- Enhanced programming and care plan development that puts people at the centre of decision making on their treatment journey
- Direct access from the emergency department triage for improved patient experience
The province is working with Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre to complete early planning and design for this project.
The timeline and construction schedule will be confirmed once future planning is complete and the project is tendered and awarded.
“With the steadily rising rates of mental health and substance-use related visits to our Hospital, this investment is vital to reduce health inequities and enhance both clinical care and service excellence for patients of Northwestern Ontario,” said Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and CEO, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
Ontario has committed to investing $3.8 billion over 10 years to fill gaps in mental health and addictions care, create new services and expand programs.
