MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AND SHORT STAY UNIT
To address the growing need for timely access to urgent and emergency mental health, addiction and substance use care, PEI is establishing a dedicated Mental Health and Addictions Emergency Department and Short Stay Unit, a first-of-its-kind in Atlantic Canada.
Background
PEI is establishing a dedicated Mental Health and Addictions Emergency Department and Short Stay Unit with mental health and addiction specialists, a first-of-its-kind in the region. This new department and short stay unit will provide streamlined access to mental health, addiction and substance use specialists to better support individuals requiring urgent and emergency care.
Service
The new Mental Health and Addiction Emergency Department and Short Stay Unit is being co-located with Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) Emergency Department in Charlottetown. Operated by staff trained and specializing in mental health, addiction and substance use, the service will provide emergency assessment, treatment, short-stay stabilization, support transition to service in the community, and support admission to an acute care bed when needed.
The Mental Health and Addiction Emergency Department and Short Stay Unit will work closely with the Mental Health and Addiction Mobile Response Team and community health centers to improve access to mental health, addiction and substance use emergency service, reduce wait times, and ensure Islanders have access to services closer to home.
The acute adult mental health, addiction and substance use capacity at the Prince County Hospital (PCH) will be retained and enhanced as part of the new Island-wide service delivery model.
Result
- An addition to the QEH for to create the Mental Health and Addictions Emergency Department and Short Stay Unit
- 24/7 mental health, addiction and substance use emergency service
- Short Stay Unit for stabilizing and assessing patients, to support appropriate referrals to community or in-patient care for mental health, addiction and substance use
Benefits
The Mental Health and Addictions Emergency Department and Short Stay Unit will advance the quality of care, patient and staff safety, and patient and family experience. This model will transform emergency access for mental health, addiction and substance use care and ensure that patients return to their communities with support and/or are admitted to an acute care bed for further stabilization in a timely way.
- Increases mental health, addiction and substance use expertise at the point of triage in the QEH Emergency Department to reduce wait times for mental health, addiction and substance use assessment
- A waiting room for triaged patients that is independent of the QEH Emergency Department that is less congested, reducing discomfort, frustration, and safety challenges
- Accessible interview/consult rooms that facilitate timely assessment and treatment in a secure, safe setting
- An integrated care team and services including psychiatric services, psychology services, nursing care, social work services, consultation, and programming that better supports a patient’s journey through emergency care
- Short stay admissions (for up to 72 hours) for stabilization, reducing the pressure on admission to mental health, addiction and substance use acute care beds
- Virtual emergency psychiatry tools and technology to support hospitals across the Island connect via videoconferencing
- Improves access to care and reduces wait times
- Increased client comfort with reduced stigma
- A care station and workspace that accommodate staff, physicians, and learners enabling the team to work effectively and efficiently with clients and families and supporting training and education opportunities
Project Status and Programming Information
The Mental Health and Addictions Emergency Department and Short Stay Unit is currently under construction and expected to open in early 2024.
Who Services Are For
Islanders of any are seeking urgent or emergency mental health, addiction and/or substance use care.
How to Access Services
Individuals will be able to seek care 24/7, no appointment or referral needed.