Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital experienced a 33 per cent increase in urgent psychiatric care referrals. Photo credit: St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
On Monday, provincial officials announced $5 million in funding to redevelop the psychiatric emergency service department at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. According to the government, the funding will help double mental health and addiction services at the hospital.
“This investment comes at a critical time for our community and those we serve,” said hospital president Melissa Farrell.
“Ensuring we can deliver emergency mental health care to those in crisis in a compassionate and therapeutic environment is essential to healing and recovery. We look forward to continuing to work with all partners to expand and connect mental health and addiction care so that accessing care is easier.”
In a typical year, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton provides emergency mental health services at its Charlton Campus to approximately 4,000 patients. Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital experienced a 33 per cent increase in urgent psychiatric care referrals from 2019 to 2021.
“In Hamilton and surrounding region we’ve seen a surge in demand for high-quality care to address the needs of vulnerable individuals requiring mental health treatment,” said MPP for Flamborough-Glanbrook Donna Skelly. “Our government has made significant investments to expand the availability of mental health and addictions services to ensure that individuals and families in Hamilton have access to the help they expect and deserve.”
As part of the redevelopment plans, the space next to the current emergency mental health department will be partitioned into two patient care areas. One area will be for patients experiencing more severe mental health and addictions crises who need to be cared for in a more specialised environment, and the other will be for those who would benefit from other medical care and mental health supports.
The new patient care areas will be separated by a centralized staff and physician space, with separate entrances and new patient and family waiting rooms that will, according to the province, enable the hospital to provide high-quality emergency mental health and addictions care, while improving patient confidentiality and accessibility.
“Our government is ensuring that all Ontarians are supported on their journey to wellness by building a stronger, more comprehensive mental health and addictions system,” said Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott. “Redeveloping St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton’s psychiatric emergency service will expand mental health services so people in crisis have access to the right level of care in a safe environment.”
The provincial government is currently working with St. Joe’s to finalize the early stages of the planning process, which includes identifying programming, operational and space, requirements, and assessing how the project can further help address existing gaps in mental health and addictions care.
Since 2019, Ontario has invested $525 million in new annualized funding to create a connected, comprehensive, and integrated mental health and addictions system.
