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Simcoe County invests $164K in Southlake's new mental health assessment unit

New unit provides short-term care to patients who are seen by crisis workers, psychiatrists at Newmarket hospital's emergency department each day
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Southlake Regional Health Centre

Southlake Regional Health Centre’s new emergent mental health assessment unit got a nearly $164,000 boost this week, thanks to the County of Simcoe.

Simcoe County Warden George Cornell recently announced the investment as part of its $45-million, 15-year commitment to the Simcoe County Hospital Alliance, which includes seven hospitals that care for Simcoe County residents.

The funding supported renovations for the new 2,500-square-foot unit that is equipped with six single-occupancy assessment rooms, each with a window and TV along with an interview room, a common area for patients and a nursing station with visibility to the rest of the unit, providing a balance of privacy and safety.

“The County of Simcoe’s continued investment in Southlake shows a commitment to improving healthcare services for residents and creating a healthier community overall. This latest investment supports a more patient-centric and healing environment for those seeking urgent mental health care at Southlake,” Southlake president and CEO Arden Krystal said in a statement.

“As the health-care system becomes more integrated, we will need to forge more and deeper partnerships like the one we have with the County,” Krystal added.

Designed in consultation with patients, families and staff, the unit will provide short-term emergent care to some of the patients who are seen by crisis workers and/or psychiatrists in Southlake’s emergency department each day. 

With more space, amenities and natural light, this new unit will provide a more patient-centric and healing environment that promotes recovery.

Cornell said the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increased demand on hospital care, front-line medical services, and essential health-care workers. 

“The county’s longstanding investment in area hospitals is more important than ever, as we continue to work collaboratively to improve physical, social and psychological supports for our residents,” Cornell said in a statement.

“We are pleased to provide this investment ... to address a high number of hospital visits relating to mental health. We know that this facility will be a regional asset and provide a safe space for residents of south Simcoe to receive the care they need,” he said.

With one-third of Ontario’s group homes in York Region, eight of which are within walking distance of the Newmarket hospital, Southlake sees a disproportionately high number of Ontarians seeking mental health care. 

This new unit will help to bridge the gap between community and hospital-based services and better integrate care in southern Simcoe County.

This $3.12-million renovation project is part of Southlake’s $15-million mental health redevelopment, which will also see the hospital add a 12-bed adult inpatient unit and renovated outpatient clinic space.

The County of Simcoe is investing $2.7 million in Southlake as part of its 15-year commitment through the Simcoe County Hospital Alliance.

While Ontario’s health ministry funds most of a hospital’s operational cost, it does not cover all of the costs of renovations nor equipment costs.


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Kim Champion

About the Author: Kim Champion

Kim Champion is a veteran journalist and editor who covers Newmarket and issues that impact York Region.
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