Queensway Carleton Hospital opens new inpatient mental health unit
A new mental health inpatient unit has officially opened its doors at The Queensway Carleton Hospital.
The new inpatient unit at the Barbara Crook and Dan Greenberg Mental Health Centre is located one floor above the original mental health area and is now double the size of its original footprint.
“It’s a really open, well lit, therapeutic space that’s conducive to healing for people who are in the worst mental health crisis of their life,” Dr. Andrew Falconer, QCH President & CEO told CTV News Ottawa.
Along with adding a brand new four-bed psychiatric intensive care unit, the space also features a secure outdoor courtyard for patients, additional areas for exercise and a comfort room flooded with natural light. The 24 regular patient rooms are now all private.
“This expansion has been a long time coming, with years of planning, fundraising and preparations. It’s quite exciting to see the first phase of this project completed, especially for the patients who will benefit from what our new inpatient unit has to offer,” Falconer said in a news release.
More than 12,600 patients received mental health care at QCH, according to the hospital; that’s up 18 per cent from three years ago. QCH adds that patients also have conditions that are more serious that require treatment that is more complex.
“Today we’re 117 per cent occupied in our (old) unit downstairs, so two more beds occupied than what we’re funded for, and that’s a regular occurrence,” said Lianne Learmonth, QCH Clinical Director.
“We’ve made good progress as a community and as a society in speaking about mental health challenges and I think today is a great reflection on how far we’ve come and the care we can provide patients,” said Learmonth.
Through the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation’s Hopes Rising campaign, $6 million was donated over the course of six years to support the initiative. The project received $9 million in funding from the Ministry of Health.
The original mental health floor will be remodeled for mental health outpatient services, with the entire renovation and expansion of the Barbara Crook and Dan Greenberg Mental Health Centre set to be fully completed later next year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.