The provincial government announced this week that it is creating a province-wide registry of mental health beds as part of a $28 million investment in mental health and addictions services. The new registry will connect those experiencing a mental health crisis with the closest available bed. Currently, there are 4,700 inpatient mental health beds in more than 80 facilities across Ontario.
“These investments will improve the lives of people experiencing mental illness and addictions challenges – and the families that help care for them.”
–Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.
The province expects that the new registry will result in shorter wait times for care by providing doctors, first responders and emergency departments with up-to-date information about available inpatient beds across the province. It will also improve transitions between care teams so people do not have to tell their story multiple times to different health practitioners.
“These investments will improve the lives of people experiencing mental illness and addictions challenges – and the families that help care for them,” said Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.
The next phase of Ontario’s Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy includes $138 million over three years for community agencies to support improvements to mental health and addictions services, through Local Health Integration Networks.
To learn more about this announcement, read the official news release.