Staff
Ontario’s government is investing in urgently-needed mental health and addiction services in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound and engaging with health care leaders, front line staff and people with lived experiences to address the critical gaps in the province’s mental health care system.
As part of the first wave of direct mental health and addictions funding, the Grey Bruce Health Services is receiving two new mental health beds at the Owen Sound hospital.
“Ontario’s Government for the People is committed to ensure that each dollar goes directly to services that will make a significant difference to patients,” said Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker. “This immediate investment will help lower wait times for those in need of inpatient mental health and addictions treatment.”
The announcement is part of the government’s commitment to invest $3.8 billion over the next 10 years to develop and implement a comprehensive and connected mental health and addictions strategy.
“We are regularly under pressure to admit more mental health patients than we have beds for, especially at this time of year when our hospitals are already overcapacity in many departments,” said Lance Thurston, President and CEO of Grey Bruce Health Services. “This temporary funding of $155,000 until March 31 will allow us to pay for two additional beds for those with mental health issues, many of whom are our most vulnerable patients. We would like to thank the provincial government for supporting patients in Grey and Bruce.
The government is also engaging with health care leaders, subject matter experts, sector partners and associations, health service providers and people with lived experience to identify mental health and addiction needs across the province.
“These discussions will help inform decisions as we move forward with finally building a comprehensive and connected mental health and addictions system in Ontario,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. “Our government is committed to an Ontario where patients don’t need to be in crisis to get the mental health and addictions treatment they need, when they need it. We will continue to make mental health a priority and work toward creating an Ontario where everyone is fully supported in their journey toward mental wellness.”
