St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton officially began the redevelopment of its psychiatric emergency service on Jan. 29, as part of an $11.2 million project.
The redevelopment was made possible by up to $7.7 million in funding from Ontario’s Ministry of Health and $3.5 million from donors through St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation.
The renovations are taking place at St. Joseph’s Charlton Campus, which has Hamilton’s only emergency mental health service.
The emergency mental health service at the Charlton Campus should not be confused with the services provided at St. Joseph’s West 5th Campus, which are limited to inpatient and outpatient care accessed by referral.
The new emergency mental health space will reportedly be double the size of the current department and will feature two distinct areas – one for those experiencing severe crises and one for those who are less likely to need admittance to hospital.
A dedicated waiting space for families and loved ones will be added.
The redevelopment will also include enhanced privacy and safety in patient rooms, with some of them set to be equipped with ensuite washrooms.
More windows will be added to increase natural light exposure, and there will be “electronically switchable glazing” on glass doors to enhance privacy.
The project will also include natural finishes and colours to create a more calming environment for patients.
The renovations are expected to be completed in approximately 18 to 24 months.
Mike Heenan, President and CEO of the St. Joseph’s Health System, called the redevelopment “nothing short of critical.”
“More community members are coming to St. Joe’s for emergency mental health support each year, and the redevelopment will not only create more space for those who need it, but will also facilitate more compassionate care that prioritizes dignity and healing,” he added.
Dr. Jordan Charlebois, Head of Service for Psychiatric Emergency Services at St. Joe’s, explained that every year “more than 4,000 people” come to St. Joe’s seeking emergency mental health care, and “about half of them will be admitted to hospital.”
“No one wants to be ill. No one wants to have to enter those doors. Our psychiatric emergency service is the first step in care for many people. This new space will ensure that first step is welcoming, safe and conducive to healing,” Charlebois continued.
Hospital officials also say that 11 per cent of all psychiatric emergency service visits involve people experiencing homelessness.
The redevelopment kick-off event featured ceremonial sledgehammer swings from mental health advocate and author Samantha Mercanti and LiUNA International Vice-President and Regional Director Joseph Mancinelli, both of whom are donors and friends of St. Joe’s
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath and Hamilton Mountain Member of Provincial Parliament Monica Ciriello were also in attendance.
Ciriello said that the project “demonstrates what we can achieve when government, healthcare providers, and community partners work together.”
Based in Hamilton, he reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. He has been published in The Hamilton Spectator, Stoney Creek News, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 Hamilton. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
