Voluntary integration of mental health services in CE LHIN

The Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH)’s community-based Mental Health Program has been collaborating with Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences. The Central East Local Health Integration Network (CE LHIN)’s board approved the collaboration, considered a “voluntary integration,” in late April 2010. Both organizations were exploring new ways to help improve mental health services in the west Northumberland region.

 New improvements implemented as a result of this collaboration include a redesign of the intake process at NHH’s Mental Health Program, which has led to increased client access to mental health services. NHH staff and physicians have new access to specialized mental health and psychiatric consultation at Ontario Shores in adolescent mental health, forensics, and dual diagnosis. Among further examples of improvements, a new crisis intervention model has been designed and implemented in NHH’s Emergency Department.

In this new integrated program-management model, Ontario Shores will be providing the management leadership for NHH’s Mental Health Program; staff and operating funding, however, remain with NHH.

For more information, see www.centraleastlhin.on.ca.