THUNDER BAY — The Ontario government is making it faster and easier for people in the Thunder Bay region to connect to high-quality, comprehensive mental health and addiction support services by building a new emergency mental health and addictions assessment and observation area at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
“Our government is making record investments to connect more people to the care they need, when they need it, no matter where they live,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By building a new assessment and observation area at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, our government is ensuring people and families in Thunder Bay and across Northwestern Ontario have faster access to mental health and addictions support services for years to come.”
The province’s investment will build a new, state-of-the-art emergency mental health and addictions assessment and observation area, ensuring the hospital is better equipped to deliver responsive and comprehensive care to those in crisis.
Once opened, the new mental health area will include:
- A new space designed to provide care in a safe and private setting for patients and their families
- Modern, state-of-the-art space for nurses and physicians to assess patients
- Enhanced programming and care plan development that puts people at the centre of decision making on their treatment journey
- Direct access from the emergency department triage for improved patient experience
The ministry is working with Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre to complete early planning and design for this project. A construction schedule will be confirmed once future planning is complete and the project is tendered and awarded.
“The creation of this new mental health and addictions assessment and observation area in Thunder Bay represents a significant step forward in delivering the continuum of care our government is committed to providing,” said Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “This initiative will ensure individuals in crisis have access to critical services quickly and close to home, offering them the support they need to begin their recovery journey in a safe and compassionate environment.”
Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government is making it easier and faster for people of all ages to connect to care. In 2020, the province introduced the Roadmap to Wellness, a plan to build a modern, world-class mental health and addictions care system. The government continues to introduce and expand on innovative new programs to ensure access to connected and convenient care to support the health and well-being of all Ontarians.