On June 27th, 2022, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH), Windsor's West End Specialty Hospital, achieved a major milestone with the submission of its Stage 1.3 (Functional Program) plan for the Mental Health Bed Expansion Project to the Ministry of Health.
Work completed over the last 18 months has resulted in a submission that includes block diagrams of the building and physical space need to support the programs and services related to this expansion.
Through the process, there was robust internal and external stakeholder involvement involving HDGH program staff, physicians, family representatives, senior leadership, Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH), Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Windsor Police Services, Community crisis services, Patient and Family Advisory Committee members, and Dr. Scott Zeller, MD, leading expert in EmPATH model. In total, 8 Project Steering committee meetings and almost 40 functional planning and design user group meetings were held. In addition to this, in-depth data/workload analysis and volume projections were completed, a review of local and international leading and emerging practices and leveraging of knowledge and experience of international mental health experts.
Highlights from the submission include:
- 68 Acute Mental health Bed Expansion
- Urgent Psychiatric Crisis Service (UPCS)- Tayfour Tower
- Will provide: Urgent/emergent service and Crisis service
- Relocation and renovation of Inpatient Rehabilitative Care – relocation and renovation
- Diagnostic Imaging – adding ultrasound and CT Services - new expanded space
- Visiting Renal Service
“This is an exciting day for Windsor-Essex. The submission of the Stage 1.3 document to the Ministry of Health means that Windsor-Essex is one step closer to a consolidated single point of entry for those experiencing Mental Health and Addictions issues." explains Bill Marra, President and CEO. “We know there is a need for seamless, timely access to support those struggling with Mental Health and Addictions issues in our community. This plan will provide a continuum of care for these patients and clients. No longer will they need to tell their story multiple times. Included in this plan is a recovery-oriented therapeutic space that responds to the mental health and addictions needs of our community."
The inpatient mental health bed expansion will allow HDGH to continue the progress already made in creating a highly effective and efficient mental health and addictions system for our community and offer all hospital-based mental health services at one location improving access and patient care. HDGH serves as the regional provider of tertiary mental health care, a range of community based mental health programs inclusive of the downtown Windsor Crisis and Mental Wellness centre which houses the urgent assessment centre for mental health and addiction and is the lead agency for child and youth mental health for the region.
HDGH looks forward to working with The Ministry of Health Capital Branch as they review the submission and ensures this aligns with all standards and the needs of residents of Windsor-Essex in the future.