The Wellington-Waterloo Local Health Integration Network (WWLHIN) is working on a new model of care to further support residents in the areas of mental health and addiction services.
According to a board meeting background document, in the last two years, the WWLHIN has approved $5 million in investments to enhance community mental health and addiction support.
2015 is the halfway point of the 10-year plan “Open Minds Healthy Minds,” Ontario’s Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy. Five years in, the WWLHIN is taking the opportunity to refresh and focus on key priority areas. Guelph General Hospital and other healthcare facilities throughout the region have identified serious concerns around the increased volume and length of stay for patients seeking care for mental health and/or addictions in their emergency departments. A review is still underway but expressed a conclusion that “process and relationship issues among all parties have impacted patient care.”
According to this review, relationships have improved between various health care providers in the area, and a new model of care is being designed for implementation in November.
The stated concerns of members of the community accessing mental health and addiction services included experiencing repetition in assessment, support for their support network including family and friends, and a desire for flexible and available support regardless of time.
In 2014, the WWLHIN launched a program called Here 24/7. The briefing states that this service is unique in Ontario, and provided residents, primary care providers and other health service providers with direct access to crisis, outreach, assessment, placement and appointment booking for mental health and addiction services.
Due to demand from residents and health care providers, which far exceeded expectations, the WWLHIN increased their investment in 2014 to provide infrastructure that would improve service delivery and meet system needs.
In a briefing from a Sept. 16, 2015 board meeting, the Institute of Health and Social Policy priorities are stated as “enhancing access to primary care; creating a more seamless and coordinated care experience; leading a quality health care system using evidence-based practice.”
According to this briefing, Alternative Benefit Plan initiatives to address these goals include “ensuring all residents have access to complexity capable services at the right time, in the right place; [improving] access to intensive mental health services.”
The Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network plans, integrates, and funds health services to improve the health and well-being of residents in Waterloo Region, Wellington County, the City of Guelph, and the southern part of Grey County, according to their website. Their stated mission is to lead a high-quality, integrated health system for our residents.