Three months after the completion of a new specialized mental health subunit at Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock, British Columbia, the facility remains idle.
A new mental health and substance use facility was built as part of Phase 2 of a multi-million dollar emergency department upgrade.
read more:
Peace Arch Hospital hires new pediatrician to ease maternity ward pain
Read the following:
NS woman dies after waiting 7 hours in hospital ER, family demands answers
It has two private examination rooms and a quiet room, a patient examination room, an isolation room, a waiting room and a nursing station, and is funded in large part by the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation.
A BC Liberal mental health and addiction critic said, “When people put their personal money in such a need, emptying this seat is a question of why the government does it.” I think I’m embarrassed that I’m dragging my feet to publish.” Elenore Sturko told her Global News.
“There is no excuse for such delays.”
There is no official explanation as to why the unit has not yet opened, but a source told Global News the issue is a dispute between the Fraser Health Department and the Ministry of Health over who will pay for the labor costs. .
read more:
Maternity ward at Peace Arch Hospital stays open in last-minute flip
Read the following:
B.C. government pays for internationally educated nurses to address labor shortage
Health Minister Adrian Dix objected to that characterization.
“Regarding the issue over the beds, you characterized it as a disagreement between the Ministry of Health and health authorities, but I don’t think so,” Dix said.
“We are working to ensure that people get the services they need as quickly as possible.”
According to the Police Law Reform Task Force last year, the White Rock RCMP handles 150 mental health calls each year. This equates to about 375 hours of police time spent on those patients at Peace Arch Hospital.
“Demand has never been higher,” says Sturko.
read more:
BC Psychological Experts Advance Public Mental Health System
Read the following:
Manitoba father who nearly lost son to flu warns others about illness
“These are special rooms that can be used to treat people with mental health crises instead of putting someone in the emergency room or sitting them in a waiting room.”
Global News has requested comments from the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation and will update this article upon receipt.
In a statement, Fraser Health said it was working to staff the unit “as soon as possible.”
“In the meantime, all patients who come to Peace Arch Hospital with mental health and/or substance use concerns will continue to be supported in the emergency department,” it added.
“Similar to health concerns, when a patient requires more advanced care, the hospital will transfer the patient to another site within the Fraser Health hospital network to ensure the patient receives the support they need. increase.”
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
